Ohio University’s Exercise Physiology Club wants to take a bite out of poverty this quarter.
The club has organized a food drive to deter the effects of poverty in the Appalachian area. All collections will be donated to local food pantries.
Many Athens residents do not have enough to eat on a daily basis. Almost 35 percent of Athens County’s population lived below the poverty level as of 2009, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
“We need to do something that will impact Athens County in a big way,” said Ian Klein, a senior studying exercise physiology and a representative from the Exercise Physiology Club.
The event began Oct. 24 and will run through Nov. 13.
Participants hope to collect 5,000 cans and other perishable food items. So far, about $450 and 3,000 cans have been collected.
Participation in the food drive soon extended beyond the Exercise Physiology Club; there are more than 40 campus organizations involved.
“The field hockey team has really come full throttle into the food drive,” Klein said.
The field hockey team committed to a goal of 501 cans and has collected 486 items so far, said Laura Mastro, a junior studying exercise physiology and a player on the field hockey team.
The team plan to surpass their goal in the next week.
“It’s exciting to be part of such a big event, and we are happy that we can help out the community,” Mastro said.
This weekend was one of the largest collection periods of the event. There is a can display on the third floor of Baker University Center symbolizing what OU is accomplishing for local food pantries, Klein said.
Next weekend will be the last weekend of the food drive. Donations will be accepted from 12-6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Ping Center.
Klein says he is optimistic about meeting the club’s goal of 5,000 cans, crediting much of the success to the large number of committed organizations.
“We hope to continue the food drive on a yearly basis and challenge other universities to take on OU,” Klein said. “We could expand the program beyond our college and help make an impact on other communities across the state and country.”
bl171210@ohiou.edu
