Michael Outrich (Geography) and Uymeng Tang (Asian Studies) weigh and count items collected from Clippinger, Grover, Grosvenor, Morton, Wilson, and Yamada.
The Wealth and Poverty theme collected a quarter ton of donations in a campus-wide food drive launched two weeks ago in celebration of World Food Day.
Wealth and Poverty faculty, staff and student members collected a total of 543 pounds and 598 items from donation spots in various Ohio University offices, far exceeding expectations.
World Food Day is a day of action against hunger observed on Oct 16 every year to remember the founding spirit of the Food and Agriculture Organization. The Wealth and Poverty theme declares “ending hunger starts with OHIO!” said Dr. Yeong Kim, Associate Professor of Geography.
Kali Krownapple, a History Pre-law major, takes a selfie in her dorm with the food box.
“After an initial email was sent out, a number of faculty and staff members volunteered to host a food drive in their own department or building,” Kim said. “For example, Bob Klein of Mathematics and Solveig Spjeldnes of Social Work worked together to place food collection boxes on every floor of Morton Hall. Gillian Ice of Social Medicine promoted a food drive in both Grover and Grosvenor halls, and Lori Bauer led an effort to set a new record for Wilson Hall’s food drive.”
In addition, CAS 1300 Themes in Action: Wealth and Poverty students each hosted a food drive in their residence halls and apartment buildings. “They posted the World Food Day signs around to encourage their friends and classmates to participate in this cause,” Kim said.
Patricia Davidson of the Shade Community Center with Derrick Grice, Kali Krownapple, Allison Nowak, all in CAS 1300, after they helped load more than 500 pounds of food into Davidson’s SUV.
Patricia Davidson of the Shade Community Center picked up the donations on Monday afternoon, Oct. 19.
“Shade is a small, unincorporated place of about 650 residents, located 10 miles south of Athens. Pat said the community center would use the donations to serve meals on holidays and throughout the year and to distribute to those in need,” Kim said. “The Shade Community Center also will share the food with Good Works – our food drive exceeded their expectations too!”
Davidson invited CAS 1300 students to the Shade Community Center for a holiday event.
The Wealth and Poverty theme is continuing the food drive till the end of the fall semester. The food items collected for the remaining weeks of the semester will be delivered to the Athens County Food Pantry.
The food drive is the theme’s fall service and outreach activity, led by Dr. Stephen Scanlan, Associate Professor of Sociology.
Non-perishable food items may be brought to Scanlan’s office in Bentley Annex 125 until Dec. 4. The food will be delivered to the Athens County Food Pantry over winter break for distribution to individuals and families in the community who are in need.
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