20th Annual Helping Hands Food Drive Kicks Off October 28 with Community-Wide Events
The University of Findlay and its community partners will launch the 20th Annual Helping Hands Food Drive on Tuesday, October 28, bringing together students, faculty, staff, local schools, and residents in a week-long effort to combat hunger across Hancock County. The drive benefits CHOPIN Hall and aims to collect thousands of pounds of non-perishable food through friendly competition, creative challenges, and volunteerism.
This year’s theme, “Band Together to Fight Hunger,” reflects the community’s united front in addressing food insecurity.
The food drive opens with a public marching band showcase at Findlay High School’s Cooper Field on Tuesday, October 28 at 7 p.m., featuring a Findlay Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony and a competition to see which high school band can collect the most food by weight. Admission to the event is a donation of non-perishable food, with priority items including peanut butter, canned fruit, juice, canned soup, and cereal.
“We are proud to celebrate 20 years of collaboration, generosity, and impact,” said David Harr, Director of Sodexo at the University of Findlay. “The Helping Hands Food Drive shows what’s possible when an entire region comes together to support our neighbors in need.”
Other highlights of the drive include:
- UF Campus Challenge (Oct. 29): Campus departments compete in food collection and door decorating, vying for the Emsweller Helping Hands Cup.
- Make and Partake (Oct. 29): A creative workshop for faculty, staff, and friends, with proceeds and food donations supporting the drive.
- Can-struction Competition (Begins Oct. 31): Student groups construct themed sculptures made of canned goods, judged on creativity, volume, and community votes.
- Hancock Schools Golden Can Competition (Nov. 4): Area schools compete for the most food collected per student.
- Official Collection Day (Nov. 5): Community members can donate food at the University of Findlay’s Center for Student Life from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Volunteers will be stations at collection points across Findlay from 11 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. distributing shopping lists and gathering donations.
- Awards Ceremony (Nov. 6): The drive concludes with a ceremony at 12:00 p.m. recognizing top contributors, creative entries, and community partners.
All food collected will be inspected, sorted, and delivered to CHOPIN Hall on the morning of Thursday, November 6, courtesy of Garner Trucking.
Last year’s drive collected 265,216 pounds of food, and organizers hope to exceed that number in this milestone year.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit the Helping Hands Food Drive webpage.
About Helping Hands Food Drive
Founded in 2005 by the University of Findlay, the Helping Hands Food Drive has grown into a community tradition that mobilizes schools, businesses, and individuals to address hunger in Hancock County. All donations directly benefit CHOPIN Hall, a local nonprofit serving individuals and families in need.
Post Views: 553
Latest Newsroom
- UF Education Students Study Inclusion in ItalyMembers of the University of Findlay’s College of Education recently visited Italy for a faculty-led study abroad trip. They returned home with invaluable lessons learned, and approximately 5,000 combined cell phone photos. The group of graduate and undergraduate students explored […] The post UF Education Students Study Inclusion in Italy appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
- Fields Stepping Down, New Interim VP of Academic Affairs NamedFINDLAY, Ohio – University of Findlay Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, Darin Fields, PhD, has announced plans to step down from his position effective August 1. Fields will remain at the University, joining the English, philosophy, and religious studies […] The post Fields Stepping Down, New Interim VP of Academic Affairs Named appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
- UF Computer Science Student Wins National ChampionshipA Champion Emerges Chase Otto, a University of Findlay sophomore majoring in computer science, recently earned the title and distinction of national champion. At the 2025 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) U.S. National Championship, held on June 18 in Grapevine, Texas, […] The post UF Computer Science Student Wins National Championship appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
- New Director, Assistant Director Named for Mazza MuseumThe University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum is proud to announce that Dan Chudzinski will be the new director and Amanda Davidson-Johnston will be elevated to the role of assistant director, as of August 1, 2025. “The impressive credentials of Dan […] The post New Director, Assistant Director Named for Mazza Museum appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
- Mazza Art Camp offered to local schoolchildren July 28 – August 1The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum will host its annual Art Camp, formerly the Young Artist Workshop, on July 28 to August 1, for area grade school and middle students. Based on a theme of “Fantasy,” children will learn about […] The post Mazza Art Camp offered to local schoolchildren July 28 – August 1 appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
- UF Celebrates New Pickleball Courts at Ribbon-Cutting CeremonyThe University of Findlay hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and kicked off a pickleball tournament on Friday, June 20, to celebrate the new pickleball courts on campus. The courts are located at 201 College Street, in front of the College of […] The post UF Celebrates New Pickleball Courts at Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
