Celebrate Food Day: Donate to the food bank
October 20, 2015 •
UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) and OP Staff Assembly will be celebrating Food Day 2015 this week. This year’s food drive includes all UCOP Oakland buildings to raise awareness about the UC Global Food Initiative, food insecurity and healthy eating. This year will also include a competition to see which floor can raise the most donations.
Spotlight on hunger
Capping off the week, A Place at the Table, a documentary about hunger in the United States, will screen on Friday, Oct. 23, at noon in Franklin Lobby 1. ANR’s Chris Greer, vice provost of Cooperative Extension, will introduce the film and answer questions. Bring your lunch and join us. Healthy snacks will be provided!
How to donate
All virtual and food donations will benefit the Alameda County Community Food Bank, which serves nearly 49,000 East Bay residents every week. Last year’s food drive raised $4,000 in monetary donations and nearly 600 food items, mostly from the Food Bank’s healthy food list. Cash gifts translated into $24,000 worth of fresh fruits, vegetables and other healthy food items for local families.
The easiest way to participate is to make your donations via credit card on the Alameda County Food Bank Virtual Food Drive website. (In the “Start Shopping!” dropdown menu on the right side of the page, select UCOP, then select your building and floor.)
Each dollar donated can purchase $6 worth of food by the Food Bank, especially healthy foods that are rarely donated.
Bins for food collection will be located on each floor at all UCOP locations. Donations will be tallied, and floors will be awarded points, with double the point value for online donations. The floor with the most points at the end of the week will win a prize: $100 worth of fresh produce from the Oakland Farmer’s Market, donated by ANR.
If you have questions or would like to help, please contact Suzanna Martinez at Suzanna.Martinez.ucop.edu or 510-587-6264.
