Annual university competition food drive starts
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MSU News Service and UM News
MONTANA — An off-field competition between Montana State University and the University of Montana to see which school can collect the most donations for its local food bank began Nov. 6. The Can the Griz food drive, as the annual friendly battle is known to Bobcat fans, is now in its 21st year. For the University of Montana, the project is called Can the Cats.
According to Randi Maiers, program manager for student organizations in the MSU Office of Student Engagement, there will be changes to this year’s competition due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The drive ends at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20. A winner will be announced on social media accounts Friday evening. Typically, the winner is announced during the second half of the Brawl of the Wild football game between MSU and UM, but the Big Sky Conference football season has been postponed to the spring due to the pandemic.
Organizers ask that nonperishable food donations be taken to collection locations throughout Bozeman to support those in need in Gallatin County. A list of participating locations can be found at canthegriz.com. Donations directly to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank may be dropped off at its location from 8 a.m. to noon on weekdays to keep the parking lot open for drive-through food distribution in the afternoon.
In Missoula, folks wanting to make donations to the Missoula Food Bank can do so at every UM Campus Dining location or at canthecats.com. Additionally, donation bins will be placed in all UM residence halls, the University Center Game Room and other locations across campus and the Missoula community during Can the Cats.
Last year, MSU and Bobcat supporters in Bozeman and beyond donated 230,096 pounds of food and $206,550 to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. UM supporters raised 213,438 pounds of food plus $208,421 for their food bank. Bozeman and the MSU community have won the competition 17 out of the 20 years it has been held.
