For more than 3 decades, our Carnegie Mellon community has been showing care and concern for our neighbors in need of food in the Greater Pittsburgh area. Therefore, we are excited to embark on the 31st Anniversary of Carnegie Mellon's Annual Food Drive, organized and sponsored by Staff Council.

“Carnegie Mellon has always embraced a commitment to social responsibility in our community. Coming together to support the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is not only a chance to provide meals and resources but also to strengthen a bond between our campus and the community that sustains us. Each year, it is a delight to see our students, faculty and staff unite to make a meaningful difference in addressing food insecurity in our region."

Jim Garrett, Provost and Chief Academic Officer and Honorary Food Drive Chair

Again, the food drive is one important way the university demonstrates its commitment to the community and that commitment has grown exponentially over the years.

In 1994, we collected 1,355 lbs. of nonperishables for Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (GPCFB) as a result of our first drive. Back then, we couldn't have imagined how our drive would grow over the years and the unbelievable impact we would have on our neighbors in need. Since its inception, Carnegie Mellon has run one of the highest grossing food drives in the city of Pittsburgh! In fact, in the 30-year history of our drive, we've collected $517,000 and 79.7 tons of food! The university is motivated each year to keep our tradition of fighting hunger in the Pittsburgh area alive because we care about our neighbors. 

Our goals for this year are as follows:

• $100,000 to support Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
• 350 can openers to be donated directly to the CMU Food Pantry
• other nonperishables for GPCFB - with a special focus on peanut butter**

Please be as generous as possible. Gifts of any size are important and appreciated. In fact, every $1 donated can provide up to three meals!

Please note this year's special event dates:

• Tuesday, Oct. 29 - Student Engagement Event: Tartan Tuesdays with Food Drive Focus
• Wednesday, Oct. 30 - Benefits & Fitness Fair
• Thursday Oct. 31 - First Drive & Drop - 11:00am to 1:00pm, Tepper Garage
• Tuesday, Nov. 5 - Student Engagement Event: Tartan Tuesdays with Food Drive Focus
• Thursday, Nov. 7 - Food Drive Fall Fest from Noon - 2 pm outside Merson Courtyard 
          Join us for cocoa, cider, cookies, popcorn and raffles with great prizes.
• Monday Nov. 11 - Drive & Drop - 1:00pm to 3:00pm, East Campus Garage

As chair of our annual drive, I am proud of what we have accomplished over the years. Star, Charlene and myself - along with our honorary chair, Provost Jim Garrett, and all of our food drive volunteers, thank you in advance for your continued generosity!

Carole Panno, Chair, Staff Council Food Drive Committee

Star Broadus, Co-Chair

Charlene Payne Parrish, Co-Chair

If you have any questions, please contact Carole Panno

** Throughout the food drive, donate a 16 oz. or larger jar of peanut butter to enter our Parking for Peanut Butter raffle! Each jar you donate counts as one entry and the winner will receive one month of free parking. Participate at the Drive & Drop events and at the Fall Fest!