Rivals Unite to Fight Hunger
11/27/2024 11:23:00 AM | General
KENT, Ohio — Kent State student-athletes recently teamed with peers from cross-town rival Akron for a good cause. Through a Mid-American Conference (MAC) initiative inspired by the Council of Student Athletes (COSA), each of the 12 member institutions paired with their rival school for a campus-wide canned food drive from Nov. 1-14.
The Golden Flashes topped the Zips, collecting 1,387 cans to win the challenge, the final tally was announced during the rivalry football match-up on Nov. 19. Akron's effort still supported a good cause as consolation for second place meant a donation to Kent State University's Flashes Fighting Hunger Food Pantry, which they delivered to the Kent Campus.
"The canned food drive was such a great way for our student-athletes to harness competitive spirit into doing good for our community," women's lacrosse student-athlete and SAAC Treasurer Camryn Meek said. "Especially during this time of year, our athletic department takes pride in being able to support local initiatives, and beating Akron is an added bonus."
The collected items were donated to Flashes Fighting Hunger, a campus organization, and Family and Community Services. Through FCS, donated cans will support the Center of Hope and Kent Social Services.
In addition to collection bins in the M.A.C. Center, individual teams also brought collected donations. The top three collecting teams were volleyball, gymnastics, and softball. Special thanks to Meijers and Green Lending for their support.
About Flashes Fighting Hunger
Flashes Fighting Hunger at Kent State University is a student-powered and volunteer-driven organization dedicated to reducing food waste and promoting food security. Utilizing recovered food, shared kitchen space in Tri-Towers, and volunteers who want to make a difference, Flashes Fighting Hunger is able to host multiple food distribution events on-campus each week. It also is able to prepare 250+ nutritious meals for those struggling with food insecurity. The organization also collaborates with the Center for Nutrition Outreach at Kent to provide fresh food for the Mighty Pack program and has a weekly presence at the Haymaker Farmers' Market.
About Family & Community Services
Family & Community Services, Inc. is a non-profit corporation headquartered in Portage County, Ohio. The agency began in 1941 as the Catholic Charities Bureau of the Ravenna Deanery with just two programs and two staff members. Today, FCS operates over 70 social service programs throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, providing a wide range of community support services that address homelessness and housing issues, transportation gaps, food insecurity, domestic violence, behavioral health and addiction, and gaps in care for youth, seniors, and veterans.
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