Griff Gives Back
Join Griff's campaign to collect pet food for families in need across central Iowa.
About Griff Gives Back
Griff Gives Back is a defining Drake tradition that brings Bulldog spirit to life during Relays season. Led by Drake’s live mascot, this annual campaign invites alumni, students, and friends to come together in support of pets and families across central Iowa. What began as a simple call to give has grown into a powerful community-wide effort—rallying donations, raising awareness, and collecting thousands of pounds of pet food each year to help ensure no animal goes hungry.
By The Numbers
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Our Goal for 2026
Griff II hopes to collect 20,000 pounds of adult dog & cat food during the 2026 Campaign.
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in 2025
20,000+ pounds of adult dog & cat food was collected in 2025.
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Lifetime Total
Over the past 9 years, Griff and Griff II have collected over 170,000 pounds of adult dog & cat food.
Track Our Progress
For the 11th year, pet lovers are invited to contribute to the Griff Gives Back pet food drive in conjunction with the Beautiful Bulldog Contest and lottery. So far, we've collected more than 170,000 pounds of food for The Pet Project Midwest since starting the Griff Gives Back Campaign.
This year, Griff II's goal is 20,000 pounds of adult dog & cat food. The food drive will take place from March 16, 2026 through April 19, 2026.
Follow the progress of the campaign on Griff II's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Previous Years
In 2024's Griff Gives Back, hosted by Drake’s live Bulldog mascot Griff II, generated 33,000+ pounds of food for the nonprofit The Pet Project Midwest to help Midwest area pets in need.
Griff I retired as Drake’s live mascot on June 30, 2020, and his successor, Griff II, assumed the position the very next day. Griff II is going in to Griff Gives Back with high hopes for a very successful tenth year of helping pets in need!