The 18th annual Can the Griz food drive, an off-field competition between Montana State University and the University of Montana to see which school can collect the most donations for its local county food bank, begins Saturday, Nov. 4.
The competition ends Nov. 18 at the end of the first quarter of the Brawl of the Wild football game between MSU and UM, which will be held at MSU. The winner of the competition will be announced during the second half of the football game.
Organizers of the drive ask that nonperishable food donations be taken to collection locations throughout Bozeman to support those in need in Gallatin County. A list of participating locations can be found at www.canthegriz.com/.
Bobcat supporters can designate their contribution to MSU by telling the Gallatin Valley Food Bank or collection location host that their donation is for the Can the Griz food drive.
Those wishing to donate are also invited to bring cans to the MSU football game versus Kennesaw State on Nov. 4 and to the MSU Brawl of the Wild football game on Nov. 18. Collection bins will be located at the stadium entrances and the XL Country tailgates. Cans will also be collected at the volleyball games on Nov. 9 and 11 and women’s and men’s basketball games on Nov. 15.
Monetary donations may be made directly to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank by visiting canthegriz.com and clicking “donate.” Each dollar donated counts as 1 pound of food.
Many businesses will be running Can the Griz specials during the two-week competition. Visit canthegriz.com and click “events” to learn more.
Individuals who participate in the drive are invited to take a photo or video of themselves donating and post it on social media with the hashtag #canthegriz.
Last year, MSU and the Bozeman community donated a record 234,486 pounds of food plus $92,688 to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. The University of Montana and Missoula community also raised a record amount for the Missoula community’s local food bank. Donations from UM and the Missoula community totaled 177,876 pounds of food plus $139,606.
Can the Griz proceeds go to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank.
For more information, or to host a collection box, please contact the MSU Office of Student Engagement at 406-994-2933 or email canthegriz@montana.edu.
Can the Griz is coordinated by the MSU Office of Student Engagement and the Gallatin Valley Food Bank.
