Cumberlands launches Golden Can food drive

Williamsburg, KY- Kentucky Harvest Southeast is preparing to launch the 2017 Pursuit of the Golden Can food drive and is again looking to University of the Cumberlands to help families in need throughout the region.

As Kentucky Harvest Southeast’s annual Pursuit of the Golden Can challenge launches, the University prepares its campus, with hopes to donate even more food to local pantries than last year.

The Pursuit of the Golden Can challenge began in 2011, and placed Cumberlands in friendly competition with Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky. Each year, the winner of the challenge is determined by the pounds of cans collected per the number of students enrolled. The Golden Can challenge officially lasts October 15 through November 15. At the end of the challenge, Kentucky Harvest will announce the winner between the colleges and organize delivery of the food donations to local food banks.

In 2016, the University raised 18,513 pounds of food to put meals on the tables of families in need. This marked Cumberlands’ first win in the challenge’s seven-year history.

The primary goal this year is to collect 10 pounds of food for every staff member and student on campus – a total of 17,500 pounds of food. To encourage food donations within the University, the campus will utilize various incentives to get the campus community and the Williamsburg community involved.

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is encouraging students to get involved in the food drive. If each of Cumberlands 1,300 students donated an average of 10 pounds of food, the University would be well on its way to the goal. To encourage giving, CAB is sponsoring a “swag store.” After collecting surplus t-shirts and miscellaneous items from departments around campus, CAB will “sell” the items throughout the challenge in exchange for canned goods. In addition to the store, CAB will also offer movies in exchange for food donations and will give extra Bingo cards for donations at their popular Bingo night.

Residence halls are preparing to engage in a Penny War to raise funds for the challenge, with every penny raised going to buy food for the Kentucky Harvest food pantries. Athletic teams at Cumberlands will also work to collect food items by offering free admission to some home football and basketball games in exchange for food donations.

During the week of November 6, the campus Barnes and Noble will offer a 10 percent discount for every 10 qualifying food items donated, allowing up to a 50% discount on any clothing or gift item.

University of the Cumberlands staff members can get involved by organizing and promoting the Golden Can food drive within their buildings. Each building on campus will have a point person in charge of managing donations. Weekly winners for this portion of the challenge will be announced campus-wide.

The Williamsburg community can get involved by bringing donations to Cumberlands athletic events, donating food items at several drop-off points in the area or providing donations directly to Kentucky Harvest Southeast in honor of University of the Cumberlands.

In the coming weeks, look for more information regarding community collection points, on-campus donation centers, and other ways in which you can donate to the 2017 Pursuit of the Golden Can.

Located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, University of the Cumberlands is an institution of regional distinction offering quality undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and online degree programs. Learn more at ucumberlands.edu.