The third annual Stuff the CatTran gathered 3,500 pounds of food donated to the Tucson Community Food Bank this year, beating last year’s total of 2,800 pounds.
“”What I am impressed with this year is the quality of food. It looks like people donated really high-quality items the food bank can use,”” said Holly Altman, director of the UA Outreach and Community Partnerships.
The food drive, sponsored by the UA Parking and Transportation Services, the Staff Advisory Council, UA Community Relations and UA4Food was an all-day event on Wednesday that lasted from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. University and community members could donate food and money to put inside a CatTran parked on University Boulevard and Cherry Avenue.
“”It looks like people put thought into what they donated and I think that really makes a difference,”” Altman said. “”Rather than donating whatever was in their cabinets, they are really thinking about the kinds of foods people need.””
Eddie Gomez, president of the Staff Advisory Council, noticed a steady turnout to the event throughout the day and was pleased about the quality of food that was being donated and placed in the CatTran.
“”The day has been great,”” Gomez said. “”We have had a lot of university departments come though for us that have brought truck loads of food in. From what I can tell, it’s a pretty full bus.””
All food donations were weighed and given to the Tucson Community Food Bank on Thursday who plans on using these items for their emergency food boxes and childhood nutrition programs. In-demand items this year included cereal, peanut butter and canned meats.
The Stuff the CatTran event followed the end of the UA Faculty and Staff Food Drive, which began on March 14. Staff members were asked to partake in a food-for-service challenge for the first time this year, at which members could donate a can of food or $1 for every year they have worked at the university. As a result of this month-long food drive, UA4Food was able to collect $7,000 from all of the campus departments.
