The University of Idaho is no longer competing against Boise State University, but is competing against itself. At least, that’s the case for this year’s Vandal Pride food drive.
The food drive began Oct. 24 with a goal of beating last year’s total of 34,000 pounds of food.
ASUI Senators Mike VanLydegraf and Hannah Davis are sponsoring the event, and said it will be even more successful than in previous years.
The Vandal Pride food drive was formerly known as the Beat BSU Food Drive, but VanLydegraf and Davis decided that since the universities are no longer competing in sports a name change was in order.
“We just wanted to show that the university can still give back to the community without needing it to be a competition with another university,” Davis said.
VanLydegraf said he thinks there will be a different dynamic to the food drive, but that it will be just as successful.
Food drop boxes and change collection jars have been placed in living groups throughout campus, both in dorms and Greek houses, as well as in businesses throughout the community.
Large drop boxes will be placed this week in the Idaho Commons and other high traffic areas on campus where students and faculty may also donate food.
In addition to drop-boxes, living groups may develop other strategies for collecting food.
“We encourage living groups to collect food however they can,” VanLydegraf said. “Door-to-door is just another way of getting the community involved.”
The top three living groups who collect the most food will receive a cash prize.
“It’s nice to have a little competition, but of course we’re encouraging groups to donate the money back to the food bank,” VanLydegraf said.
This year’s goal is simply to collect more than 34,000 pounds of food that will be donated to the Idaho Food Bank in Lewiston.
“The food stays local and I think that’s really important,” Davis said.
Approximately 40 businesses in the community have asked to be included in the drive and have change jars and food boxes located in their business.
“It’s just a way to show your pride within the state, and show the community that when you show your Vandal pride it’s not always about competing, it’s about giving back to the community,” Davis said.
The food drive ends Nov. 17. ASUI will be asking for volunteers to help collect and sort the food before sending it to the food bank. Students who would like to help or who have questions about how to get involved with the event can contact VanLydegraf or Davis via their university emails.
“We encourage everyone to get involved and donate their food because hunger is an issue. Even though sometimes we don’t think of it as a local issue, it is,” Davis said. “It’s staying local and we’re helping our people. There could be a child out there who benefits from this and then is able to attend the university, so if we can think of it that way we’re feeding the future.”