Ohio’s campus programs provide students plenty of free food throughout the year.
With an influx of students coming and going for the new year, one staple of Athens will remain the same: free food.
From Uptown deals to the Campus Involvement Center, first-year Ohio University students will have the opportunity to receive free items and meals throughout campus.
Former and returning students have expressed gratitude and satisfaction with campus involvement, including options such as University Program Council’s service, Flavor of the Week.
Last year, Flavor of the Week was hosted from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday in the Bobcat Student Lounge.
UPC president Kiley Landusky was unavailable for comment as of press time.
“I think it’s cool. We’re college students. We don’t have a lot of money,” Ashley Thomas, an OU class of 2016 graduate, said about UPC’s Flavor of the Week.
Thomas added that the media school provides free food during Communication Week, including last year’s tables of pasta salad and other free options. Communication Week ran from March 14-18, according to the Scripps College of Communication website.
Other events around campus that provide students free food include Ohio Athletics, International Student Union and Black Student Cultural Programming Board events.
Donors to Athletics include McDonald's, Taco Bell and D.P. Dough, all of which have previously handed out free gifts and food to students before games.
“I know the student organizations will go to the hockey games and there will be a food and first-aid station there,” Jordan Brown, a second-year medical student, said.
Even off-campus businesses can give free coupons and gifts to students throughout the year.
Brenen’s Coffee Cafe on Court Street has provided free giveaways via Twitter and Facebook to students, according to a previous Post report. Donkey Coffee and Espresso and Casa Nueva are among other area businesses that offer promotions through social media.
Other eateries, such as Franco’s Pizza Place, have special deals certain days of the week where students can get food at a discounted price.
Despite the free offers, problems still can arise from just relying on free gifts from OU programs and off-campus businesses.
“Food is food. If you eat it in moderation, it’s fine,” Jenna Brown, an OU class of 2016 graduate, said. “But free food is not that healthy, especially Flavor of the Week. It’s a lot of candy. It’s a lot of food that is put out for college students.”
The popularity of free food can also draw major crowds. During Spring Semester, Jimmy Johns at 16 S. Court St. provided $1 subs to customers. In turn, lines stretched past Chase Bank at 2 S. Court St.
“The timing is weird for some of the events because they are only a few hours and everyone goes,” Thomas said.
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