PROVO -- Cougar and Running Ute fans are being asked to pitch in at Saturday's game to help feed the homeless.
Members of the two schools' alumni associations are sponsoring a food and money drive for Utah's food banks.Each of the five entrances of Cougar Stadium will have cash and food receptacles supervised by volunteers for University of Utah, BYU and the United Way of Utah County.
Fans are encouraged to donate non-perishable items and cash.
At BYU, cash and food receptacles will be placed on campus this week.
To rally the fans, BYU's Alumni Association also will hold its second annual "Big Event" at 7 p.m. Friday in the Wilkinson Student Center Ballroom. The one-hour event will feature prizes, a $20,000 football toss contest and entertainment.
Although the event is free, reservations are required by calling 801- 378-6750. Those attending are asked to wear blue and bring either a can or food or a cash donation to benefit Utah's food banks.
"We appreciate the willingness from both universities to give awareness and resources to alleviate hunger," says Eric Cooper of the Utah Food Bank. "Utah and BYU's efforts are a critical component to our holiday campaign."
According to Cooper, money is especially welcome because cash contributions can increase the food yield available more than 18 times.
Financial resources allow the bank to get donations of food from the food industry. The only expense of receiving the food is just paying for the transportation, he said.
Call (801) 378-6748 for additional information.