November 5, 2009- Due to the downturn in the economy, the Utah Food Bank has seen an increasing number of food requests as more individuals and families have fallen on hard financial times. With that in mind, this year’s Utah-BYU Rivalry Week Food Drive is a contest nobody can afford to lose.

The University of Utah hopes to beat Brigham Young University in the 15th annual race to see which school can raise the most funds and non-perishable food for the less fortunate. The Food Drive is a friendly competition sponsored each year by the University of Utah and BYU alumni associations. Food will be collected at the rivals’ football game on Saturday, Nov. 28 in Provo, Utah, but also before the game at some University of Utah locations. The contest begins two weeks prior to the Utah-BYU football game and runs from Nov. 13 through the 28.

Ways to help:

• Donate canned food and other non-perishable food items at the University of Utah Alumni House, 155 South Central Campus Drive; the University Development Office, 540 Arapeen Drive; the LDS Institute, 1780 E. South Campus Drive.

• Bring donations (food, cash, or check) to the Utah-SDSU game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 21. Volunteers will be at the gates to collect your gift.

• Donate at the U Campus Store by purchasing a Utah “U” for $1 or make a monetary donation.
  

• Make a monetary donation online at www.alumni.utah.edu or in person at the Alumni House.

Donations collected by the U will benefit the Utah Food Bank. Collections by BYU will benefit the United Way Food Bank of Utah County. It is important for fans of both schools to give generously to stock the pantries prior to winter and holiday season, when food requests are extremely high.

“The tradition of the Utah-BYU food drive provides an added dimension of fun and competition to game week, but more importantly it is a meaningful way to gather food for fellow Utahns who are without a meal,” notes John Ashton, executive director of the University of Utah Alumni Association.

Last year, university supporters collected and donated more than 212,000 pounds of food, over double the 84,000 pounds donated in 2007. BYU donated more than 122,000 pounds of food last year to the United Way Food Bank of Utah County.

Also last year, Utah fans contributed a record amount of money, with more than $35,000 going to the Food Bank. In the end, both food pantries and those who use them benefitted immensely from the contest.

For more information on the Utah-BYU Rivalry Week Food Drive, visit www.alumni.utah.edu or call the University of Utah Alumni Association at 801-581-6995.