Students and UO employees join in community service projects that benefit near campus neighborhoods and local food bank

UO employees are taking on the Governor’s State Employees Food Drive for the month of February. The goal is to raise 100,000 pounds of food.

In the past five years, the university has donated more than 800,000 pounds of food. The proceeds all go to Food For Lane County, where they are distributed throughout the community. This year, the University has also partnered with Euphoria Chocolates to sell dark, milk, and peanut butter chocolate hearts. For every bag sold, $2 will be donated. Cash donations, donations through a payroll deduction, and credit card donations are accepted.

This will be the 40th annual governor’s food drive. It was started by former Gov. Victor Atiyeh, in response to the federal government’s cutbacks on food stamps. 

UO students are engaged in community service this winter. On January 30, more than 300 students engaged in a day of service to complete projects in near campus neighborhoods. UO President Michael Schill and Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy welcomed participants before they traveled to one of six projects and thanked them for their service.

The projects included deep cleaning at the White Bird Medical Clinic, removing invasive ivy in Hendricks Park, landscaping and weeding at Washburne Park, improving the “learnscape” at Nearby Nature facilities in Alton Baker Park, picking up trash in West and South University neighborhoods, and cleaning and gardening at the Boys and Girls Club facility. Student volunteers included Fraternity and Sorority Life communities and CommUniversity student ambassadors from the Office of the Dean of Students.