Last day approaches for can registration

In just its second year, the Cans to Candelaria food drive already looks to be a success, with the last day for registration approaching on Monday.

Organized by Assistant Professor of Journalism Lee Anne Peck and her senior public relations class in the spring of 2006, University of Northern Colorado students collected 4,000 pounds of food in its first year alone for the Weld Food Bank.

This year's goals are to reach 10,000 pounds of food and also to increase awareness around UNC's campus about hunger.

Peck requested everyone to put together a group of friends or team members and collect as many cans as possible for donation. Groups can challenge other groups or organize events to collect canned foods, and whoever collects the most food by weight for the food drive, receives a trophy and plenty of recognition.

Last year's winner, the Student Dietetic Association, collected a massive 424 pounds of food. This year's winners will be announced on the final day of the drive, 5 p.m on Oct. 11. Food and music celebration will be provided by the sponsors on the final day. Additional prizes will be given out as well.

"It's a great service project that benefits the community; founded by students and Dr. Peck," said Tiffany Wong, an intern for the food drive and journalism and mass communications major.

Cans to Candelaria is only one of the many service projects Peck is involved with. Peck also organized a silent auction and raised $347 to give to the Weld Food Bank.

The top prize given away at the Cans to Candelaria raffle, which is another event organized by Peck, was a $300 voucher for Beaver Run Resort in Breckenridge, was given to Dr. Thomas Endres, director of the School of Communication.

"I am pleased that the activity is associated with our school, because I think social justice events are crucial for improving our little corner of the world," said Thomas Endres, who is the director of the school of communication and the purchaser of the Beaver Run voucher.

Other non-perishable food items are accepted; however, a group wins prizes based on weight, so cans are preferred.

Weighing will happen during collection from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 11 on the east side of Bishop Lehr Hall.

After collections are complete, the cans will be lined up on the edges of sidewalks across west campus to Candelaria Hall and back.

"We want students to know about how they can help out and also build a foundation for year three," Peck said. "One dollar can give approximately six pounds of food to those in need."

Sign up is available through the Cans to Candelaria website at www.unco.edu/canstocandelaria.Registration ends Oct. 1.