Oregon Institute of Technology is hustling against hunger during the month of February as part of the 2011 Governor's State Employees Food Drive.
According to Tom Chester, Chair of the university’s Food Drive and Director of the Oregon Renewable Energy Center at Oregon Tech, “Oregon Tech’s goal for the Food Drive is for everyone – faculty, staff, and students -- to give something, even a dollar or a box of cereal, to the drive. Donations of money are probably the most appreciated. For every dollar donated, the local food bank can provide 12 pounds of food to those in need. Even the smallest of donations is appreciated and goes a long way toward feeding the hungry in our community.”
The need in the Basin is great. The Klamath/Lake Food Bank provided food to nearly one in four households in the area last year. The Food Bank distributes 25,000 pounds of food every week.
The State of Oregon remains among the top five hungriest states in the nation, as it was last year.
About 13.9 percent of households - more than half-a-million Oregonians - had difficulty providing enough food for their family. And 6.6 percent of households - more than 225,000 individuals -- cut or skipped meals, sometimes for whole days, because they didn’t have enough money or other resources for food.
Oregon Tech encourages the greater Klamath Falls community to participate in the food drive as well.
Here is how to donate money:
- Write a check payable to Klamath-Lake County Food Bank.
- Cash donations may be given to Food Drive Chair, Tom Chester at the Oregon Tech, Klamath Falls campus in Purvine Hall, Office #290. A tax receipt will be provided.
- Cash or change can also be placed in cash boxes located near every cash register on the Oregon Tech, Klamath Falls Campus.
- Oregon Tech employees can print out and complete a payroll deduction form and submit it to the Oregon Tech Payroll Office. The form on Payroll’s web page under the link “2011 Governor's State Employee Food Drive,” or you can go directly to the form here.
Canned or dry food donations may be left in the Food Drive barrels on the Oregon Tech Campus located in every building.
Questions about the Hustlin’ Against Hunger Food Drive at Oregon Tech should be directed to Tom Chester at 541.885.1883.
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About Oregon Tech
Founded in Klamath Falls in 1947, Oregon Institute of Technology is one of seven institutions in the Oregon University System, and the only public institute of technology in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon Tech provides degree programs in engineering and health technologies, management, communications and applied sciences that prepare students to be effective participants in their professional, public and international communities through hands-on learning. Oregon Tech’s main campus is in Klamath Falls; other sites are located in Portland, La Grande and Seattle. Visit www.oit.edu to learn more about Oregon Institute of Technology.
