​​​​​Helping Hands Events​

Helping Hands Band Together to Fight Hunger Show

When: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Findlay High School - Cooper Field

Area high school marching bands will come together for a high-energy performance event dedicated to supporting the fight against hunger. This spirited evening will begin with an official ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Findlay Chamber of Commerce, marking the kickoff of the 20th Annual Helping Hands Food Drive. The event is open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend and support the cause by bringing non-perishable food donations.

Top Five Items of Need:
1.        Peanut Butter
2.        Canned Fruit
3.        Juice
4.        Canned Soup
5.        Cereal​

UF Campus Challenge

When: Wednesday, October 29, 2025

University of Findlay departments and colleges will participate in a campus-wide challenge to support the Helping Hands Food Drive. As part of the effort, offices and departments will decorate their doors with creative displays and collection boxes, each highlighting information about the food drive. Faculty, staff, and students are also encouraged to volunteer to help cover off-campus collection locations on November 5. The department or college that collects the most pounds of food per member will be awarded The Emsweller Helping Hands Cup in recognition of their outstanding contribution.

Make and Partake​

When: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Time: 4-6 p.m.

Join us for Make and Partake, a creative and charitable event held in the Multipurpose Room of the Alumni Memorial Union at the University of Findlay. This event is open to University of Findlay faculty, staff, and their guests.

Admission is $35, or $25 with a donation of 40 ounces of peanut butter.

Participants will receive:

• A Helping Hands logo apron

• Three wood painting boards

• Refreshments

• One raffle ticket

Enjoy a fun and relaxing evening while supporting a great cause.

Can-struction presented by UF Student Government

When: Friday, October 31, 2025

a competitive and creative event held in the Atrium of the Center for Student Life at the University of Findlay. This year's theme, "Band Together to Fight Hunger," invites student groups and organizations to design and build unique sculptures entirely out of canned goods.

Participation is limited to 15 teams. The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. with a rules review and spot drawing, followed by the start of sculpture construction at 5 p.m. Teams will have until Tuesday, November 4 at 5 p.m. to complete their creations.

Judging and public voting will begin immediately after construction ends on November 4 at 5 p.m. and continue through Wednesday, November 5 at 5 p.m.

Awards will be given in the following categories:

• Most Creative

• Most Poundage

• People’s Choice
  

Hancock Schools Golden Can Competition 

When: Tuesday, November 4, 2025

The Hancock Schools Golden Can Competition is a spirited collection challenge among area middle and high schools, aimed at gathering non-perishable food donations to support the Helping Hands Food Drive.

Each participating school can choose its own collection schedule leading up to the official deadline, with best practices including food drives at sporting events, designated drop-off locations within school buildings, and internal competitions between classes to boost participation.

The winning school will be determined based on the most pounds of food collected per student population, ensuring fairness across different school sizes.

The top three schools will be honored with traveling trophies:

• Gold Can Award

• Silver Can Award

• Bronze Can Award

This friendly competition not only builds community spirit but also makes a meaningful impact in the fight against hunger.

Helping Hands Food Drive – Official Collection Day 

When: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

The heart of the Helping Hands Food Drive takes place on this official collection day. The University of Findlay's Center for Student Life Atrium serves as the central hub, where all donations will be inspected, sorted, and packed for delivery to CHOPIN Hall.

Community Collection Locations will also be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Volunteers will be stationed at participating grocery stores, handing out lists of the Top 5 Most Needed Items to encourage shoppers to contribute.

Confirmed Collection Sites Include:

• Findlay Chamber of Commerce

• Kroger on Tiffin Avenue

• Kroger on 6th Street

• Walmart on Trenton Avenue

• Walmart on Tiffin Avenue

• Great Scot on Broad Avenue

• Brinkman’s

Whether donating on campus or in the community, every contribution helps feed local families in need.

Helping Hands Awards Ceremony​

When: Thursday, November 6, 2025
Time: Noon

Join us for the culminating event of the Helping Hands Food Drive, the Awards Ceremony, where we recognize the incredible efforts and impact made throughout the campaign.

During the ceremony, we will announce:

• Total volunteer hours and number of volunteers

• Overall pounds of food collected

• Can-struction winners: Most Creative, Most Poundage, and People’s Choice

• UF Campus Challenge winner

• Hancock Schools Golden Can Competition winners: Gold, Silver, and Bronze Can Awards

We extend our deepest thanks to the businesses, organizations, and individuals whose generosity and dedication helped make this year's food drive a success.