Given the The four losses of the UtesThe fast-approaching “Big Game” may have lost some of its luster – but University of Utah and Brigham Young University alumni and fans remain enthusiastic about moving forward their long tradition of fighting local food insecurity.

This year’s annual collaborative food drive, dubbed “Fight Hunger Together,” begins Saturday, Nov. 2, a week before the Nov. 9 Utah-BYU football game at Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The Ute-Cougar food drive then continues through “Friendsgiving” on Wednesday, November 27.

There are several ways to participate in “Fight together against hunger”, depending on the University of Utah Alumni Page.

A designated “Donation page” was created through the Utah Food Bank.

In-person non-perishable food donations can be made at the following Smith’s locations:

• 402 6th Ave., Salt Lake City.
• 455 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City.
• 876 E. 800 South, Salt Lake City.
• 922 E. 2100 South, Salt Lake City.
• 3215 S. Valley Street, Salt Lake City, before the Nov. 9 Utah/BYU game.
• Student collection

Students will collect monetary donations (cash and Venmo).

Students will visit tailgates before the Utah vs. BYU game on Nov. 9 and the Utah vs. Iowa State game on Nov. 23 to collect monetary donations.

• Cleone Peterson Eccles Alumni House

There will be a collection barrel at the Alumni House, 155 S. Central Campus Drive, Salt Lake City.

Those bringing food donations to the Alumni House can win several prizes, including, for students enrolled at the University of Utah, a $500 scholarship for the spring 2025 semester.

Visit University of Utah Alumni for competition details.

Students will collect donations in neighborhoods surrounding the University of Utah. The leaflets will be distributed door-to-door on November 12. Collections will take place the following week, November 19 and 20.

The Friendsgiving event hosted by the University of Utah on November 27 will mark the finale of the month-long initiative to combat hunger.

The school’s Friendsgiving will not only be a time of gathering and celebration for students, faculty and alumni, but will also highlight the impact of the food drive through a presentation of total donations and pounds of food collected, according to the Alumni Association.

The event will recognize “Tackling Hunger Together” participants and partners who have demonstrated their collaborative effort, including the Food Bank of Utah, Smith’s and representatives from BYU.

Food insecurity: a reality in Utah

Even amid the college football fun that ushers in the upcoming holiday season, many Utahns continue to fight daily battles with food insecurity.

THE Utah Food Bank recently reported that many Utah families are struggling with the rising cost of living, especially Gen Xers and baby boomers. Citing the 2024 Financial Literacy Survey, the Utah Food Bank noted that 13% of Americans – many in Utah – don’t make enough money to cover their basic needs. Many others are “barely staying afloat.”

For Utah’s Gen Xers (ages 44 to 59) and baby boomers (ages 60 to 78), the situation is even more complex, according to the Utah Food Bank.

Even if they manage to cover their expenses, many live paycheck to paycheck. Nearly half of baby boomers ages 60 to 64 say they’re just getting by — and half of Gen Xers say they’re struggling to make ends meet.

Financial stress extends beyond bank accounts. Many people living on a fixed income make daily choices between, for example, paying for essential medicines or putting food on the table.