The University of Findlay

Helping Hands

Sodexo and The University of Findlay
to Participate in Helping Hands Across America

On November 12, The University of Findlay’s dining service, Sodexo, participated in an attempt to break the Guiness® World Record for the largest food drive by a non-charitable organization in a 24-hour period at multiple locations.

In 2008, with tremendous support from the Findlay community, The University of Findlay, UF student organizations Habitat for Humanity, PRSSA and SIFE, 12,641.79 pounds was collected and donated. This ranked third among college campuses nationwide for pounds of food collected during the food drive.

The University collection nearly doubled the 2007 year's total of 6544 pounds. At that time, 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 of Findlay'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 at multiple locations. To count toward the world-record goal, all food items must be within the expiration dates and must not be damaged. Each donated item is recorded in a log book and witnessed by community and University representatives. Only cans collected on November 12 will count toward the effort. After the items have been counted and recorded, they are donated to CHOPIN Hall in Findlay, Ohio.

In 2006, the event, Cans Across America (now called Helping Hands Across America), was introduced to all college campuses across the United States. In 2008, canned goods collections fell short of the current world record of 396,832.07 pounds.

To date, The University of Findlay Cans Across America food drive has donated 20,179.79 pounds of food to CHOPIN Hall.

For additional information, please feel free to call David P. Harr, Director of Dining Service, at 419-434-4542.