Neighboring universities BYU and UVU have teamed up once again to run the largest food drive in Utah Valley — the annual Valley United Against Hunger Food Drive.
The drive is sponsored by the BYU Student Alumni Association, and runs from Nov. 6-19.
“It’s all about being connected for good. It helps connect each of us to our community,” said Makayla Howard, the vice president of philanthropy at the Student Alumni Association.
All the donations the association receives go to Community Action Services and Food Bank, a non-profit dedicated to meeting people’s basic needs and solving poverty. Every dollar Community Action Services receives can be turned into 15 pounds of food or can provide three meals to a family of four, Howard said.
“It doesn't take a whole lot of time or commitment, but it is meaningful,” said Mark Kelsey, the executive director for the Y-Serve program, involved in the food drive. “There are people who need help, and this is a very easy way to get involved in that work.”
There are multiple ways to donate. First, there are barrels in locations across campus shown on the map below where donors can leave non-perishable food items.
sign up for Y-Run, where the event's self-selected ticket price is a donation to the cause. Y-Run is a great opportunity to sit back, relax and “not to run away from hunger,” according to the event description. In other words, donors do not need to do anything but donate.
There will also be an opportunity to donate at the doors of the men's basketball home game on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.
Readers also have the option to donate online, or send a payment to @byustudentalumni on Venmo.
There are also plenty of opportunities to get more involved. A Food Blitz will give volunteers an opportunity to knock on doors across Provo and ask for food donations, sign up to stand outside grocery stores to collect donations or help collect non-perishable items from the food bins. For dates and more information, prospective volunteers can visit the BYU Student Alumni page.