Vol. 38, No. 18

4-20-2004
By: Susan Wittstock

2004 Operation Feed campaign underway

Printer cartridges, chicken sandwiches and signed footballs have all been enlisted in the fight against hunger for Operation Feed 2004 at Ohio State, taking place now through May 14.

Ohio State faculty, staff and students are encouraged to bring food or money donations to provide meals for central Ohioans. United Way of Central Ohio and the Mid-Ohio FoodBank co-sponsor the communitywide food drive, which supports 232 food pantries, soup kitchens and emergency shelters in six central Ohio counties. The Office of Human Resources coordinates the effort at Ohio State.

Last year, $81,060 and 13,330 pounds of food were donated by the university community.

“This is an opportunity to help those less fortunate. We know that there are many people in central Ohio who can’t afford to pay for rent, food and medicine,” said Ned Cullom, program manager for human resources. “We’re proud of the contributions made by Ohio State’s faculty and staff for this drive in the past, and know that our generosity will continue this year.”

One-hundred percent of cash and check donations to Operation Feed are used to provide food, Cullom said, with no donations going toward administrative costs. “Also, it’s important to note that cash donations are able to go further than food donations, averaging two meals for every dollar, because the FoodBank can purchase large quantities of food at discounted prices,” he said.

Non-perishable food donations are still accepted, however. Targeted food items this year include: canned beef or chicken stew, canned fruit, canned pasta meals, canned vegetables, macaroni and cheese dinners, peanut butter in plastic containers and canned meats. Home-canned foods, frozen foods, dented or outdated goods and easily crushed foods (potato chips, cereal boxes) should not be donated.

For the first time this year, Ohio State is participating in a toner recycling program sponsored by SmartRecycle.com.

SmartRecycle will donate a portion of the proceeds received from used laser and inkjet toner cartridges placed in its recycling containers to Operation Feed. Depending on the style, a single cartridge could be worth as much as three meals.

Chick-fil-a is also offering a promotion. The company will donate 15 percent of catering menu or boxed lunch orders to Operation Feed.

Individual departments also may do special promotions, such as bake sales, lunches or, in the case of the Ohio State University Airport, an online silent auction. The airport’s auction begins at 8 a.m. April 27 and ends at 5 p.m. April 28. Items that will be auctioned off at www.osuairport.org include a Cleveland Browns autographed football, CAPA tickets, a stay at Deer Creek State Park, an introductory flight lesson and gift certificates to a number of area restaurants, with all proceeds going to support Operation Feed. Last year, the airport raised $2,725 with the auction.

For more information about Operation Feed, contact your college/office Operation Feed coordinator or call Cullom at 292-4341.

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