To address food insecurity exacerbated by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, both on campus and in the community at large, the UO Food Drive Steering Committee has partnered with the UO Food Security Task Force, as well as Oregon Cheerleading, to host a series of canned food drives every Wednesday throughout the month of February. University volunteers and Oregon Cheerleaders will be accepting nonperishable food donations in-person at the Student Food Pantry each Wednesday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Donations that the student pantry can’t store immediately will go to FFLC’s central warehouse for distribution to the Lane County community.

Need to know: Masks are required. Only nonperishable, in-date food items can be accepted. If you’re able to stay in your car and drop off your donation by drive-thru, this is preferred. See the most-wanted list for ideas of items most needed by the Pantry and FFLC.

Each collection day has been themed to encourage donations of most-wanted items. 

• February 3 – Shelf-Stable Proteins
  • Nut butters: peanut butter, almond butter
  • 1 lb bags of dried legumes: black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, lentils
  • Canned beans
  • Canned tuna
  • Canned chicken
  • Canned ham
  • Protein powder
• February 10 – Culturally Appropriate Foods
  • Dried lentils, chickpeas, split peas and beans (1 lb bags)
  • Mole
  • Canned salsas
  • Curry paste and packets
  • Masa
  • Chiles
  • Spices
• February 17 – Meal Building Blocks
  • Hearty soups (consider vegetarian options too!)
  • Plant-based milks: almond milk, rice milk, oat milk
  • Granola
  • Cereal
  • Pancake mix, baking mix
  • Olive oil, cooking spray
  • Jarred pasta sauce
• February 24: Canned Fruits and Veggies
  • Canned fruit (in juice)
  • Low-sugar dried fruit
  • Applesauce
  • Canned peas
  • Canned carrots
  • Canned corn
  • Canned diced tomatoes