The University of Findlay, with tremendous support from the Findlay community, ranked third among college campuses nationwide for pounds of food collected during the Cans Across America food drive Nov. 12.

David P. Harr, director of dining service at the University, said Curry College was first nationally with 49,401 pounds of food collected, Western Illinois University second at 15,176 pounds and The University of Findlay third at 12,641.79 pounds.

The University collection nearly doubled last year’s total of 6,544 pounds. In 2006, the University was second in the nation among college campuses that participated. All of UF’s donations were delivered to Chopin (Christians Helping Other People in Need) Hall in Findlay.

The canned food drive was part of a nationwide effort, organized by the University’s dining service, Sodexo, to break the Guiness® World Record for the largest food drive by a non-charitable organization in a 24-hour period. In 2006, Cans Across America was introduced to all college campuses across the United States. In 2007, the national canned goods collections fell short of the current world record of 396,832.07 pounds. Results are not yet final for 2008.

This year, several area churches, as well as several local businesses, collected canned goods and dropped off donations at Henderson Dining Hall. Students at Wilson Vance Intermediate and Bigelow Hill Intermediate donated more than 2,000 pounds of food. On campus, UF students and student organizations worked together to exceed last year’s total.