Fort Wayne, IN – Seven colleges and universities in northeast Indiana have joined forces in a friendly competition to help fight hunger across the region. The annual U Can Crush Hunger food drive, organized by Community Harvest Food Bank, entered its final days on Friday, Nov. 6, with a target of collecting 125,000 pounds of food and monetary donations.
Schools in the race
The participating institutions are Purdue University Fort Wayne, Indiana University Fort Wayne, Ivy Tech Community College, Manchester University, Trine University, the University of Saint Francis, and Indiana Tech. Each campus set up collection bins where students, faculty, and community members can drop non‑perishable food items. Online portals also allow donors to contribute cash directly to the campus they wish to support.
Why the competition matters
Community Harvest President and CEO Carmen Cumberland praised the effort, noting that the drive not only supplies vital nutrition to families in need but also raises awareness among college students about the hidden challenge of food insecurity. “When young people see the impact they can make, they develop a lifelong commitment to caring for their neighbors,” Cumberland said.
The competition encourages schools to rally volunteers, host awareness events, and engage local businesses in supporting the cause. By turning the food drive into a contest, organizers hope to inspire higher participation and generate a larger pool of resources for the food bank’s year‑round operations.
How to help
Anyone in the Fort Wayne area can contribute by bringing food items to the designated bins on each campus or by making a monetary donation through the Community Harvest website. The bank will allocate all contributions to families throughout Allen County and the surrounding communities, ensuring that the collected supplies reach those most in need.
The competition will be tallied on Friday, and the school that gathers the most food and cash will be recognized for its leadership in the fight against hunger. Regardless of the winner, the collective effort is expected to make a significant dent in the 125,000‑pound goal, providing essential support to vulnerable households during the holiday season.
Looking ahead
Community Harvest plans to continue the U Can Crush Hunger initiative in future years, expanding participation to additional schools and community partners. The organization hopes the annual drive will become a staple of campus life, fostering a culture of generosity and service that aligns with the values of faith, family, and individual liberty cherished by the region.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
