Ohio State, Georgia team up to support Atlanta area residents in need

A day before their football teams compete in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, representatives from The Ohio State University and the University of Georgia worked together on a community service project to benefit food-insecure Atlanta area residents.  

Ohio State students, faculty, staff and alumni joined members of the University of Georgia community for a Feed the Funnel party coordinated by Ohio State’s Office of Student Life and the Pack Shack to measure, mix and pack more than 51,000 meals. The service project exceeded the goal of packing 50,000 meals and benefited area organizations including Hosea Helps.

“We all know that Ohio State believes in service and no matter where we are, Buckeyes live out those values,” said Melissa Shivers, senior vice president for Ohio State’s Office of Student Life. “To see so many incredible Buckeyes come out and give their morning, to be able to help in the community that we get the chance to live in for just a very short period of time, I think represents the Buckeye spirit.”

The university has hosted food packing parties on campus annually. Melissa Gilliam, Ohio State’s executive vice president and provost, said a commitment to serving others is part of the university’s mission.

“I think it actually relates to what we do at Ohio State because part of our mission is to serve. It’s one of our core missions,” she said. “Even at a time when we’re doing something fun and celebratory, it’s important to see that service can be a part of that celebration.”

Bands and mascots from both Ohio State and Georgia inspired the crowd. Music filled the ballroom as dozens of meals were packaged. Volunteers were called to a stage to bang a gong as they hit new milestones in the effort.

Ohio State Undergraduate Student Government President Andrew Pierce said it was good to see so many parts of the university represented at the service project.

“I think it shows unity and equality, no matter where you are in this university,” he said. “We value service, and Buckeyes of all stations and all ranks will always come together to help our neighbors – and that’s what this project is.”

This is the 24th 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.