That surpasses last year’s total by 13,072 meals. One pound of donated food equals .75 percent of one meal, and every dollar donated is the equivalent of three meals. This year’s total included $154,199 in monetary donations and 6,906 pounds of food.
“I’m so proud of what you have accomplished,” said Oregon State President Jayathi Murthy during the OSU Food Drive closing ceremony. Murthy said that Oregon State had raised three times the amount of all other state entities combined during the state-wide food drive this year.
Murthy said the generosity of the Oregon State community was crucial given the great need across Linn and Benton counties, including at Oregon State University, where 300 individuals a week visit the university food pantry, which primarily serves students and staff but is also open to the greater community.
“I want us to be connected to Corvallis and the larger community,” Murthy said. “It is a part of our responsibility.”
Ryan McCambridge, director of the Linn Benton Food Share, said Oregon State continues to outdo itself. “There are hundreds, maybe thousands of people you’ll never meet, but on whom you’ve had a direct impact. You make society better.”
~ Theresa Hogue
