Head-to-head with the Griz

One of MSU’s annual traditions, “Can the Griz,” is an event intended to gather food for donation to the local food bank to eliminate hunger. In its 19th year, this is a competition between MSU and the University of Montana (UM), who has dubbed it “Can the Cats” on their campus. This event began on Nov. 3 and will end on Nov. 17, the day of the annual Cat-Griz football game.  

MSU has won the competition 15 times. Last year, “Can the Griz”amounted to 257,336 pounds of donated food, and approximately $131,757 donated directly to the Gallatin County Food Bank. UM donated 255,070 pounds of food and $139,008 to their local food bank, ultimately beating MSU because of their larger monetary donation.

One way to help out is by donating money directly to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. Donation hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Each dollar counts as a pound of food. Students and community members also have the opportunity to donate at the Nov. 10 football game against the University of Northern Colorado at XL Country and Ressler’s tailgates.

There are several locations that are accepting canned food donations at all times, both on and off campus. On-campus locations include the front desk of the Renne Library, the Office of the President at 211 Montana Hall, and the Office of Student Engagement in the SUB, amongst others. Off-campus locations include 406 Brewing Company, Belgrade Chamber of Commerce, Bioscience Laboratories and the Bozeman Public Library. In total, there are 57 drop-off locations for non-perishable items. For a monetary donation, please visit the The Gallatin Valley Food Bank, located at 602 Bond Street in Bozeman.

2018 sponsors of “Can the Griz” include the MSU Bookstore, Owenhouse Ace Hardware and Bozeman Real Estate Group. For more information about the event, where to donate, or how to host a donation box or volunteer, see www.canthegriz.com.For more information about the Gallatin Valley Food Bank, visit gallatinvalleyfoodbank.org.