Update: Final Donation Total for Cans Around the Oval 2007 is 124,700 Pounds of Food

Note to Editors: Please disregard the previous news release for this year’s total pounds of food collected during the 2007 Cans Around the Oval campaign, which was based on early estimates.

Colorado State University’s 20th Cans Around the Oval food drive raised approximately 124,700 of nonperishable food for the Food Bank for Larimer County. Colorado State’s College of Business was the top contributor amassing more than 25,000 pounds of food.

This year’s drive produced 87,982 pounds of food, and $18,359. Each dollar translates into 2 pounds of food, as the the Food Bank of Larimer County can purchase more than 2 pounds with each dollar.

Each year, cans are placed one the curb of Colorado State’s Oval Drive. Colorado State President Larry Edward Penley placed the last can on the curb this morning to complete the tradition this morning. Cans Around the Oval is northern Colorado’s largest food drive, benefiting the Food Bank for Larimer County. The drive began Sept. 12.

The Food Bank annually distributes more than four million pounds of food to 40,000-plus residents in the region. Residents include single-parent families, the working poor, senior citizens, youth-in-crisis, people with disabilities, the homeless and more. Nearly half of those served are children.

Cans Around the Oval continues to serve as a Colorado State tradition to raise awareness about hunger, tying together Colorado State students, faculty and staff with K-12 schools, community organizations and area businesses.

Last year, more than 136,000 pounds of food were collected for the more than 40,000 people who depend upon the Food Bank for Larimer County.

Cans Around the Oval is sponsored by the Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement. SLiCE provides leadership development, service-learning and volunteer opportunities, and works collaboratively with students, staff, faculty and the community to offer a broad range of service and leadership opportunities for student involvement. Through the programs at SLiCE, students find support and resources to graduate as engaged, active participants in their local, national and global communities.

To learn more about SLiCE, visit the Web at www.slce.colostate.edu

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