BYU fans and alumni will serve communities at home and on the road through food, literacy and sports equipment drives supporting local nonprofit organizations.
Fall is in the air, and football season is right around the corner. As the BYU football team gears up for an exciting season, Cougs Care returns with opportunities for Cougar fans to serve at home and at road games across the country.
For the first time, Cougs Care will include a home event in association with First Down Provo, a free community celebration on Friday, September 11 from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Old Courthouse County Grounds in downtown Provo. Fans attending the event are invited to donate canned food items benefiting Community Action Services and Food Bank, helping support local families facing food insecurity.
Fans traveling to road games can continue that spirit of service through Cougs Care projects hosted by local BYU alumni chapters, a tradition since 2019. Last season, Cougar Nation donated more than 70,000 pounds of food and more than 7,000 books, and 1,000 coats and pairs of shoes.
This season’s projects include literacy drives, a food drive and a sports equipment drive benefiting organizations in Colorado, Texas, Florida, Kansas and Utah. Fans attending BYU road games are invited to stop by the BYU Alumni pre-game tailgate to participate. Details for each project are available below and on the BYU Alumni web page. (Please check back for updates as additional information becomes available).
Game: BYU @ Colorado State; Sept. 19, 5:30 PM MDT
- Tailgate time: 2:30-4:30 PM MDT
- Location: 951 Meridian Ave (Outside CSU Rec Center), Fort Collins, CO
BYU fans are invited to help local children develop strong reading skills by donating new children's books. Donations will support the Children's Speech & Reading Center, a nonprofit that provides literacy and speech-language services to children and families throughout northern Colorado. Donations will be accepted at the tailgate and online through this Amazon Wishlist.
Game: BYU @ TCU; Oct. 3, Game time TBA
- Tailgate time: Friday, October 2, 6-8 PM
- Location: Josey Ranch Athletic Complex, 1440 Keller Springs Rd, Carrollton, TX
Because the Saturday sessions of the October 2026 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints coincide with the game weekend, the BYU Alumni tailgate will be held Friday evening. Fans attending the tailgate are encouraged to bring new children’s books to help foster a love of reading for local children and families. Donations will benefit Literacy United, which works to improve literacy outcomes and educational opportunities across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Fans unable to attend may also contribute through this Amazon Wishlist.
Game: BYU @ UCF; Oct. 24, Game time TBA
- Tailgate time: TBA (3 hours prior to kickoff)
- Location: Carillon Elementary School, 3200 Lockwood Blvd, Oviedo, FL
BYU fans can help fight food insecurity by donating nonperishable food items for students in need. Contributions will support Knights Pantry, a campus resource that provides food and essential items to UCF students experiencing financial hardship.
Game: BYU @ Utah; Nov. 7, Game time TBA
- Tailgate time: TBA (3 hours prior to kickoff)
- Location: BYU Salt Lake Center, 345 W North Temple, 3 Triad Center, Suite 300, Salt Lake City, UT
Fans are invited to donate new children's books to support literacy efforts for local elementary students. Books collected will be distributed through a collaborative effort between the BYU School of Education and the University of Utah College of Education to help children build strong reading foundations.
Game: BYU @ Kansas; Nov. 21, Game Time TBA
- Tailgate time: TBA (3 hours prior to kickoff)
- Location: Buford M. Watson Jr. Park, 727 Kentucky St, Lawrence, KS
BYU fans are invited to donate new or gently used sports equipment to help local youth stay active and engaged. Donations will benefit the Lawrence Boys & Girls Club and Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, expanding access to recreational opportunities for children and families in the community.
Cougs Care is presented by BYU Continuing Education, whose partnership with the BYU Alumni Association helps create opportunities for Cougar fans to serve and connect in communities nationwide.
