Sacramento State students and faculty can help the less fortunate this year by donating to the State Employee’s Food Drive.

University Transportation and Parking Services is participating in the statewide drive by facilitating on behalf of the entire campus. Donations are being collected at more than 30 locations throughout campus through Dec. 16.

“Each year we try to get a little better and get a little more,” said RonaldGrant, associate vice president of Business Operations for the university. “It feeds people not only during the holidays but all year.”

The drive collects money and food donations each year to help feed California’s hungry. Sac State donated food and money totaling 7,883 pounds of food last year and the goal is to increase donations by 5 percent.

In 2004, the California Franchise Tax Board collected 47,628 pounds of food and $19,000 in cash. Grant sees those numbers as a challenge.

“We’re trying to catch up with some of these other agencies this year,” he said. “This is a worthwhile venture and it goes to a good cause.” Donations made at Sac State will help fill various food pantries in the Sacramento region.

Four million non-elderly, low income families are forced to use community food pantries at least once during the year in the United States, according America’s Second Harvest, a national food bank network.

And whether one can of corn or a $100 check fits in the budget, all donations are needed.

“I prefer to give cash as opposed to the food,” Grant said. “But sometimes it’s just easier to grab food from your cabinet and put it in the box. We really want everyone involved.”

Every dollar contributed to the drive purchases an average of two-and-a-half pounds of food and all money raised goes directly to the hungry.

Visit the UTAPS Web site, http://www.csus.edu/utaps/news/HolidayFoodDrive.html, for all drop off locations on campus or drive through one of the information booths ?” located on the north and south sides of campus ?” to leave donations with the attendant.

Lora Simmons can be reached at [email protected]