BOZEMAN – The annual Can the Griz food drive is in its final week, and people are encouraged to get their donations to collection sites and to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank in before 5 p.m. Friday to make sure they count toward the annual competition.
This is the 19th year for the food drive, which is an off-the-field competition between Montana State University and the University of Montana. The winner will be announced during the second half of Saturday’s Cat-Griz football game is Missoula. MSU has won the competition 15 out of 18 years so far.
Randi Maiers, community engagement program coordinator with the MSU Office of Student Engagement, said Tuesday that MSU’s totals for this year’s competition are lagging behind last year’s total at this point. She also said the food bank reports being very low on turkeys to put in its holiday meal packages.
“All of the food collected at Can the Griz remains in the Gallatin Valley, and we’re proud that it is used to support our friends, neighbors, children and MSU students,” Maiers said. “Every year, we beat the previous year’s collection record, and I’m continually in awe of the generosity of our community.”
Last year, MSU and the Bozeman community donated a record 257,336 pounds of food plus $131,757 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 and won last year’s competition. Donations from UM and the Missoula community totaled 255,070 pounds of food plus $139,008.
Nonperishable food donations can be taken to collection locations throughout Bozeman to support those in need in Gallatin County. A list of participating sites is at 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.
Monetary donations may be made directly to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank by visiting canthegriz.com/donate. Each dollar donated counts as 1 pound of food.
Can the Griz will have numerous food-raising events, and many area businesses — including grocery stories and breweries — will be collecting donations and 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.
Can the Griz proceeds go to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. For more information, 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.
