From BOWLING GREEN ROTARY
“Volunteers, lots and lots of community volunteers, are needed on July 26 to make a meaningful difference in feeding thousands of people less fortunate than ourselves,” reports Trevor Jessee on behalf of a partnership established between Bowling Green’s Rotary Club and Bowling Green State University.
Rotary and BGSU, through its Athletics program and the C. Raymond Marvin Center for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement, are partnering with the Kids Coalition Against Hunger for a one-day event on July 26 to package 60,000 meals for community and worldwide distribution.
“We need hundreds of people in the community to step-up and volunteer to make this happen,” said Jacob Clemens, senior director of the BGSU Marvin Center. “Students, faculty and staff will be participating in the two shifts, but we’re counting on the kindness and thoughtfulness of others in the community to make the food packaging event a success.”
Volunteers – 400 in total – are being asked to work one of two shifts, although working both shifts will be appreciated: from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.; and, from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Volunteers are also needed from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. to help unload the food and set up the packaging tables in the BGSU Perry Field House, where the event will be held.
“Many of our athletes will be there participating,” Derek van der Merwe, director of athletics and recreation at BGSU. “They know and understand community service is an important component of their leadership development and to the success of our learning and surrounding community.”
Click to sign up as a volunteer. This is a BG community project, everyone is welcome to participate, including young children accompanied by an adult. Participants must register.
Members of Rotary and BGSU are available to groups who would like to know more about the project and volunteering. Email Trevor Jessee at tgjessee@civista.bank.
PARTNERSHIP ORGANIZATIONS
Kids Coalition Against Hunger (KCAH)is a 501 (c)3 organization that coordinates packaging events throughout the eastern half of the United States, providing food for starving adults and children both worldwide and in local communities. The goal of KCAH is to package over eight million meals annually by the end of 2026. To date, this food has been sent to over 100 food pantries in the northeastern quarter of the United States and 30 countries around the world. KCAH mobilizes civic, religious, educational, foundations, communities, and humanitarian organizations to help fundraise, package food, and deliver meals.
Bowling Green Rotary is one of 46,000 clubs throughout the world, with 1.4 million members. In providing service, Rotary focuses on seven areas of interest: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving Mothers and children, supporting education, growing local economies and protecting the environment.
BGSU Athletics competes at the NCAA Division 1 level in 18 sports. BGSU is a primary member of the Mid-American Conference, and is an affiliate member of the Missouri Valley Conference in Men’s Soccer, and the ice hockey program is a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. More than 450 students participate in these sports every year.
BGSU C. Raymond Marvin Center for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement develops leaders who serve their communities and lead for the public good. It fosters students’ sense of belonging through meaningful and productive experience, and it empowers students to design their leadership journey and create positive change in their communities.
