Helping Hands Food Drive Surpasses 100,000-pound Goal

The University of Findlay and Sodexo’s 2018 Helping Hands Food Drive, held Wednesday, Nov. 7, far exceeded its record-breaking goal of 100,000 pounds by collecting 111,436 pounds.

During the 12-hour marathon event, nonperishable food collections for Findlay’s CHOPIN Hall were accepted on campus and at both Findlay Walmarts. Special thanks go to Garner Trucking for generously donating food and supplying two semi-trucks to accommodate all food transportation to CHOPIN Hall; Campbells Soup Company, which made a substantial donation; and Walmart, which also donated a large amount along with providing community locations for drop-offs.

This event, which marked its 13^th year, has come a long way since the first collection, organized in 2006, which saw 994 pounds donated. This year topped last year’s record-breaking collection of 97,465 pounds.

“This Helping Hands Food Drive over the years has had a tremendous effect on our families,” said CHOPIN Hall Director Ron Rooker. “Thank you all, and thank you Oiler Nation.”

Rooker said the nonprofit typically assists about 1,100 families per month, which total approximately 3,000 people. Food donated this year from the drive will provide about a 4-month supply for the hall, and will represent a greater selection of brands and products for those in need, he said.

This video features more insight regarding how CHOPIN Hall benefits and helps the community.

Since 2008, the University of Findlay has led the nation every year with the most pounds collected for Sodexo’s drive.

“Helping Hands embodies the University of Findlay vision while providing opportunities for us to connect as a community with some friendly competition thrown in the mix,” said UF Student Government Association President AJ Kittle. This year’s top four campus team was the Buford Center for Diversity and Service in first place with 9,962 pounds donated. Topping the faculty/staff challenges was UF Student Affairs with 218 pounds per person donated, for a total of 13,563 pounds. Many student organizations also participated, such as Habitat for Humanity campus chapter, the baseball team, the lacrosse team and Christian Pharmacist Fellowship International.

Here are other noteworthy numbers from this year’s Helping Hands Food Drive:

• 55 pallets of food were donated, comprising three truckloads.
• 197 people volunteered 589 hours.
• 13,032 cans of fruit, the top needed item, were donated.
• The total amount of food collected and donated to date for University of Findlay and Sodexo’s Helping Hands Food Drive is now 601,802 pounds.