The University of Nevada will hold food drives to benefit the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and needy families in the community at this weekend's men's basketball and football games.

Wolf Pack fans are encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food to the men's basketball game vs. Washington at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 and the football game vs. Idaho at 1:05 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. Food barrels will be available at the entrances at both Lawlor Events Center and Mackay Stadium.

Tickets are available for both games by visiting at the Lawlor Events Center ticket office, calling (775) 348-PACK (7225) or going online at Nevada Wolf Pack.

The Food Bank especially needs the following items: canned meats, fish and nuts, peanut butter, macaroni & cheese, powdered milk, baby formula and food, canned meals: stews, ravioli, chili and hearty soups, canned fruits and juices, canned vegetables, spaghetti sauce, dry cereal, oatmeal, rice and pasta.

The donations will be delivered to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada to distribute this holiday season.

The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is a regional food distribution and support system serving over 125 partner agencies in Northern Nevada and the Eastern Sierra. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada provides and supports programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs and Kids Cafe (dinner program), Kids Cafe Summer Meals program, Food Stamp Outreach and much more.

One in five children in Nevada live in a home where there is not enough food for three meals per day, and one in six people in Nevada needs to seek food assistance to make ends meet. Among clients who visit emergency food program sites, children are the most vulnerable to hunger; 46 percent of emergency food recipients are children under the age of 18. Last year the Food Bank of Northern Nevada provided over four million meals to low income seniors, children and families.

This week's food drives are part of Nevada Athletics' on-going partnership with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and the goal of creating "One Hunger-Free Community, One Pack."

Wolf Pack student-athletes, coaches and staff will be participating in volunteer activities with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada throughout the year and started with a "Pack the Pack" Pay-it-Forward Party to put together snack packs for the Backpack Kids program in September. Other planned activities include volunteer nights at the food bank and other events, challenges and food drives at home games.

Last year, Wolf Pack fans stepped up to help the Food Bank raise funds to provide over 112,000 meals and collect 5,456 pounds of food in December and January as part of the football team's participation in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. For more information about the Wolf Pack or the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, please visit Nevada Wolf Pack or Food Bank of Northern Nevada.