A tower of nonperishable food including boxed pasta, peanut butter jars and canned soup was built on Tuesday in the Davies Center by the donations from students, faculty and staff giving to those in need as Thanksgiving approaches.

Blugold Dining organized the Helping Hands Across America food drive, and Marketing Manager Brian Goez said the main demographics the drive helps include the homeless, mentally ill, working poor and single mothers.

This is Blugold Dining’s ninth year organizing Helping Hands Across America, Gomez said. He said over the years they have collected $2,200 and 29,000 pounds of food.

Gomez said the donations will stay within the county and will be given to the Feed My People Food Bank in Eau Claire, which distributes food to relief organizations.

The drive encourages organizations to get involved in the food drive, and the winning group receives $150 in catering to use at any Blugold Dining location, Gomez said. This year, eight organizations participated, including Governors Hall.

Hall Director John Reichert said Hall Council decided to donate money from its philanthropy fund to support the event.

The drive wouldn’t be possible without the students, Gomez said, and their generosity is appreciated.

“It’s amazing how many people come up with just a jar of peanut butter or a couple cans of corn or green beans,” Gomez said. “Students don’t have to do this; they can spend their money other ways, but they want to help people and that’s very refreshing.”

Gomez said he estimated they collected about $1,000 and 4,000 pounds of food. The numbers will be finalized Thursday as well as the winning organization, since some groups still have to turn in donations.