Service project brings Ducks and Buckeyes together
Volunteers from the UO and Ohio State joined in a tradition dating back to their 2010 Rose Bowl matchup
New Year’s Day was for the competition but the day before the Rose Bowl was for giving back and collaboration between the University of Oregon and the Ohio State University.
Approximately 100 members of the two communities spent New Year’s Eve at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank assembling food boxes for those in need in Los Angeles County. More than 26,000 boxes were filled, and it held even more meaning this year because the tradition of giving back when traveling for bowl games began in 2010 at the Rose Bowl when Ohio State invited Oregon to do a service project at the food bank.
This bowl game marked the 13th year Duck volunteers have given back to local communities, and it was the 25th anniversary for the Buckeyes.
“We’re again honored to take part in and continue this tradition,” University of Oregon President Karl Scholz said. “It’s a privilege to be able to help in these small ways when we travel for bowl games.”
Volunteers from both schools worked together on four assembly lines, filling boxes with donated food that would go out into the community to those facing food insecurity.
“It’s wonderful to work with our friends at Ohio State and give back to our host city,” UO Vice President for Student Life Angela Chong said. “Our institutions are grounded in service.”
LA Regional Food Bank CEO Michael Flood said it takes a massive army of 22,000 volunteers each year to help the more than 900,000 people in the area.
“The work of hunger relief really requires a lot of help,” Flood said. “It’s really critical.”
Despite the serious work, both schools’ volunteers were in high spirits. The marching bands played across the facility, mascots hugged, and school officials exchanged gift baskets and honored the annual tradition.
“It’s truly incredible to see the thousands of people who have volunteered over time,” Ohio State University Senior Vice President for Student Life Dr. Melissa Shivers said.
Flood said since the first service project leading up to the Rose Bowl in 2010 between Oregon and Ohio State, the food bank has invited the teams each year.
“It’s become an annual tradition,” he said. “We can plan on it. It’s on our calendar. We have the bands, the cheer teams. We love it. It’s a lot of fun. It’s also a way for the alumni and others to take a few hours before the game to give back. I think it’s meaningful in that fashion.”
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