On Nov. 12, The University of Findlay, with its dining service, Sodexo, will participate in Helping Hands Across America and attempt to break the Guinness® World Record for the largest food drive by a non-charitable organization in a 24-hour period.            

The Findlay community is invited to drop off donations of canned goods at Henderson Dining Hall, located on Frazer Street, between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. After the items have been counted and recorded, they will be donated to Chopin Hall in Findlay.

In 2008, The University of Findlay, with tremendous support from the Findlay community, ranked third among college campuses nationwide for pounds of food collected (12,641.79 pounds) and doubled its 2007 collection. Chopin Hall (Christians Helping Other People in Need), which received the donations, had enough vegetables to last until February because of the community’s generosity.

In 2007, the University collected 6,544 pounds of nonperishable food items and was second in the nation in the amount of donations collected. Even with this great effort, the canned goods collected supplied Chopin Hall for only five days.            

To count toward the world-record goal, all food items must be within the expiration dates and must not be damaged. Each donated item will be recorded in a log book and witnessed by community and University representatives. Only cans collected on Nov. 12 will count toward the effort.

UF’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity, Rotaract Club and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) also are helping collect donations.            

For additional information on how you can support this event, contact David P. Harr, director of dining services, at 419-434-4542.