Fiesta Bowl showdown includes service project to feed the hungry

The Ohio State University and Clemson University put their PlayStation Fiesta Bowl rivalry aside for the day to help the fight against food insecurity.

President Michael V. Drake joined members of the Clemson community, university leaders, students and alumni from both schools on a joint project to aid one of the largest food banks in the nation.

St. Mary’s Food Bank has been in service since 1967 and supports nine of Arizona’s 15 counties. Volunteers from both universities helped pack 3,696 food packages. One package feeds a family of four for three days.

“What makes this community special is how we come together for good,” Drake said. “We might be opponents on the field, but we all know the real opponent is hunger and we’re all here today to make a difference in that fight.”

The food bank was founded by John Arnold van Hengel. An activist and parishioner from St. Mary’s Basilica in downtown Phoenix, van Hengel is known as the “Father of Food Banking.”

This is the 22nd year that Ohio State’s Office of Student Life has organized a service project in conjunction with its football bowl game in order to give back to the host city.

Buckeye football players showed their commitment to charity earlier in the week, helping with a community service event supporting Child Crisis Arizona.