UW News

February 26, 2009

A friend indeed: UW community steps up its generosity to CFD, food bank

Thank you!


Really — thanks very much for your generosity. The people you have helped appreciate it. And it shows that even in tough times, the UW community continues to support those in need.


UW staff and faculty gave in record amounts to two major charitable campaigns in late 2008 — the state’s Combined Fund Drive, from Oct. 15 to Dec. 12, and the University District Food Bank’s annual food drive, held Nov. 10 to Dec. 12.


The Combined Fund Drive, the state’s annual workplace giving campaign, raised about $1.93 million in 2008, an increase from last year’s total of $1.83 million. Sixteen percent of employees participated.


The generosity brought several honors from King County and the state of Washington, with a possibility of more to come.



  • Mindy Kornberg, UW vice president for human resources and the UW CFD’s executive sponsor, won the King County Combined Fund Drive Outstanding Executive Sponsor award.
  • UW Tacoma and Transportation Services won the King County Outstanding Campaign Team award.
  • CFD coordinators Rob Brown of UWMC and Jo Enscoe of UW Tacoma won the King County Spirit of Service award.
  • Sharene Peltier of UW Bothell and Monica Singh of Harborview Medical Center won the King County Rookie of the Year award.


The UW also has been nominated for the United Way of King County’s Spirit of Service award in the Most Significant Increase category. Winners will be announced at the Spirit of Caring Awards ceremony March 4 at the Sheraton Hotel.


The State of Washington has recognized the UW’s giving, too, with its award for the Highest Percent of Participation by a University.


UW faculty and staff helped the University District Food Bank’s annual food drive succeed by donating 7,500 pounds of food — a thousand pounds more than in 2007. They also sent $5,000 in cash donations to the food bank, which is double last year’s total.


“It was very much a success,” said Joe Gruber, director of the bank. “We had more offices participating than we ever had before. … We were very pleased with the support we got from the UW and we’re already looking forward to next year’s drive.”


Gruber added that several people from UW offices have contacted the food bank to start organizing more food drives in the spring. “That’s a great surprise,” he said.


Click to learn more about the Combined Fund Drive and the University District Food Bank.