UF Helping Hands Food Drive Collects More than 115,000 Pounds for Regional Residents in Need

Helping Hands 2019 volunteers sorting donations at Henderson Dining Hall.

University of Findlay and Sodexo’s Helping Hands Food Drive goal of 115,000 pounds was exceeded on Wednesday, with a total of 115,867 pounds collected for CHOPIN Hall!

“This is the 14^th year for this amazing event and the University of Findlay is proud to partner with Sodexo in helping the community of Findlay thrive,” said Sodexo Director David Harr.

“This event gives our families the option to choose food they otherwise would not have been able to choose from. It’s just amazing. It’s like Christmas every time we open another box and see what’s in it,” said CHOPIN Hall Director Ron Rooker during today’s Helping Hands recognition ceremony.

Last year, 111,436 pounds were collected.

Since 2008, UF has led the nation each year with most pounds collected for Helping Hands. Wednesday’s effort included collection locations at Walmart on Tiffin and Trenton avenues, on campus at the Alumni Memorial Union and Henderson Dining Hall. A total of 183 people volunteered 586 hours.

Other noteworthy statistics:

• 632 students donated food, with 108 donating 25 pounds or more, for a total of 3,289 pounds.
• Businesses that assisted included Campbell Soup, Garner Trucking, Walmart and Fresh Encounter, and Findlay Publishing Company.
• The top UF faculty and staff team that donated was Student Affairs with 333.7 pounds per person (19,020 pounds total).
• 58 pallets of food were collected.
• 3 truckloads were delivered to CHOPIN Hall.
• 5,029 jars of peanut butter were donated.
• The total of nonperishable food collected to date through Helping Hands at UF is 717,669 pounds.
• UF’s first ever Helping Hands drive collected 996 pounds.