GCU News Bureau
With just 54 days remaining until Christmas, the year has somehow been gobbled up. But Grand Canyon University won’t let the season of giving pass by so quickly and has launched its Give With Purpose Turkey Drive, which focuses on hunger and food insecurity in Arizona.
The campaign kicked off Nov. 1 and runs through Nov. 22 – that’s one additional week compared to previous years, which means GCU has more time to give to this year’s beneficiary, St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.
Every dollar donated during the campaign provides enough food for seven meals. SMFBA estimates nearly 2 million Arizonans lack consistent access to adequate food, which threatens the ability of a child, family and community to thrive.
Every $10 given will earn the donor a Turkey Ticket and automatically enters them into a drawing for one of these prizes: courtside seats for two at a GCU men’s basketball game (date to be announced); a basketball signed by GCU men’s basketball coach Dan Majerle; lunch for six at CK Bistro, prepared and served by St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance culinary students; and four tickets to the GCU men’s basketball game on Nov. 30, among other prizes.
In addition, SMFBA will be the featured charity at the GCU men’s basketball game on Nov. 16, when food will be collected for the nonprofit, and GCU baseball will be at Moon Valley Safeway on Nov. 23 for Super Saturday to encourage shoppers to donate money, turkeys or nonperishable food.
Employees also will have the opportunity to volunteer Nov. 25-27 during the SMFBA turkey distribution.
“We had a record-breaking donation last year,” said Debbie Accomazzo, University Relations Manager.
In 2018, employees donated $5,040 during Give With Purpose, which GCU and Pono Construction matched for a total of $15,120 in donations to St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance. More than 12,100 pounds of food was collected by GCU for the 2018-2019 school year, and 401 GCU volunteers in 2018 contributed 1,036 volunteer hours, a 150% increase from 2017.
To make a donation, click here.
