Buckeye Service Projects at Bowl Game Sites
January 16, 2025
Ohio State has a long standing, 25-year tradition of holding service events in the host city of the football team’s bowl game. This season, for the first time, it meant two service projects in two different cities, Los Angeles and Atlanta.
First up was the Rose Bowl, where Ohio State leaders joined Oregon representatives, university administrators, students and alumni from both schools at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. The bands and mascots from both schools also participated.
“We love this opportunity to get together with our colleagues from the University of Oregon, not only because it’s an essential part of who we are as Buckeyes, but because it reminds us of what we’re here for,” said Senior Vice President for Student Life Melissa Shivers. “Our institutions are grounded in the notion of service, building community and supporting communities.”
The Buckeyes and the Ducks assembled food packages to be distributed to low-income senior citizens, women with infants and children, and others in Los Angeles County. The food packages consist of items like canned fruit, canned vegetables, rice, cereal and other non-perishable items.
This was the third time that the two schools have served together following their initial collaboration at the 2010 Rose Bowl.
Ohio State also organized a service project at the site of the National Championship game in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
The event, on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, honors the legacy of the civil rights leader. More than 100 volunteers are planning to pack 35,000 meals that morning.
The meals will be distributed by the nonprofit group CORE2GLOBE.org through the food pantry at Fulton County’s Banneker High School.
Ohio State has a long standing, 25-year tradition of holding service events in the host city of the football team’s bowl game. This season, for the first time, it meant two service projects in two different cities, Los Angeles and Atlanta.
First up was the Rose Bowl, where Ohio State leaders joined Oregon representatives, university administrators, students and alumni from both schools at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. The bands and mascots from both schools also participated.
“We love this opportunity to get together with our colleagues from the University of Oregon, not only because it’s an essential part of who we are as Buckeyes, but because it reminds us of what we’re here for,” said Senior Vice President for Student Life Melissa Shivers. “Our institutions are grounded in the notion of service, building community and supporting communities.”
The Buckeyes and the Ducks assembled food packages to be distributed to low-income senior citizens, women with infants and children, and others in Los Angeles County. The food packages consist of items like canned fruit, canned vegetables, rice, cereal and other non-perishable items.
This was the third time that the two schools have served together following their initial collaboration at the 2010 Rose Bowl.
Ohio State also organized a service project at the site of the National Championship game in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
The event, on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, honors the legacy of the civil rights leader. More than 100 volunteers are planning to pack 35,000 meals that morning.
The meals will be distributed by the nonprofit group CORE2GLOBE.org through the food pantry at Fulton County’s Banneker High School.
“As a Georgia Buckeye myself, I can share that we are thrilled to be in Atlanta, working with the Core2Globe team. This city has welcomed Buckeye Nation with warmth and enthusiasm, so it’s only right that we take the time to give back to this special place,” said Dr. Shivers. “Ohio State takes pride in supporting local communities, both the ones we call home and the ones we visit.”
These projects are designed to give back to the host city. The Ohio State tradition dates back to the 1998 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.