MSU Launches 20th Annual “Can the Griz” Food Drive

BOZEMAN – The 20th annual Can the Griz food drive, an off-field competition between Montana State University and the University of Montana to see which school can collect the most donations for its local food bank, us underway.

The competition wraps up Nov. 23 at the end of the first quarter of the annual Brawl of the Wild football game, which will be held this year at Bobcat Stadium. The Can the Griz winner will be announced during the second half of the football game.

“As we begin the annual Can the Griz competition, we are proud to serve the Gallatin Valley by raising awareness of food insecurity,” said Heidi Worley, community engagement program manager with the MSU Office of Student Engagement. “Donations will support our friends, neighbors, children and MSU students during the holidays and throughout 2020. Every year, we beat the previous year’s collection record and I’m confident in our community’s ability to work together for this effort.”

Organizers of the drive ask that nonperishable food donations be taken to collection locations throughout Bozeman to support those in need in Gallatin County. A list of participating locations can be found at canthegriz.com. Bobcat supporters can also designate their contributions to MSU’s total by telling the Gallatin Valley Food Bank or collection location host that their donation is for Can the Griz.

Monetary donations may also be made directly to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank by visiting canthegriz.com/donate. Each dollar donated counts as 1 pound of food.

Can the Griz will have numerous food-collecting events, and many area businesses — including grocery stores and breweries — will be collecting donations and running Can the Griz specials during the two-week competition. Visit www.canthegriz.com and click on “events” to learn more.

Last year, MSU and the Bozeman community donated a record 263,263 pounds of food, plus $185,457 to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. The UM and Missoula community also raised a record amount for their community’s food bank — 210,714 pounds of food plus $193,086.

Can the Griz is coordinated by the MSU Office of Student Engagement and the Gallatin Valley Food Bank.