Battle Against Hunger

The Battle Against Hunger is a month-long program during November aimed at bringing awareness to issues surrounding food insecurity. Students have the opportunity to learn and engage through programs centered on food insecurity, which include service trips, educational programs and a month-long food drive benefitting a local organization. Want to get involved? You can get involved by participating in the food drive during November (as an individual or a group) and sharing your results with Pay It Forward, or by participating in one of our events throughout the month.

For 2026, Pay it Forward has partnered with the Maize and Blue Cupboard at the University of Michigan. Compete against TTUN (that team up north) to see who can bring in the most donations during the month of November.

Additionally, Pay it Forward hosts an internal competition to see which student organization donates the most to the Battle Against Hunger food drive. The winning organization gets a $100 resource room credit in their account.

Battle Against Hunger 2026

Food Drive

This year's food drive will benefit the Monda Student Resource Center located right here on campus! Canned goods (fruit, vegetables, soup, meat, etc.) and other nonperishable goods will be collected. Reach out to directly to PIF to make a donation, or donation bins can be found at the following places on campus. Note: if you are donating with a student organization, please label your donations to be counted towards the total: 

• Ohio Union Front Desk
• Residence Halls 
  
  • Park-Stradley
  • Residence on Tenth
  • Morrill Tower
• The Monda Student Resource Center
  • Individual students and student orgs can bring canned or non-perishable donations directly to the MSRC to be counted for Battle Against Hunger. 
  • You can drop off donations in one of two ways during their operating hours
    • Front Entrance: Park on Neil Ave and bring your items through the front doors of the Younkin Success Center (MSRC is on the first floor).
    • Back Alley: Pull into the alley behind the building and call 614-688-2508. A volunteer will come out to collect your items from your car.
• Examples of accepted donations:
  • Canned beans
  • Canned broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable)
  • Canned fruit
  • Canned vegetables
  • Canned tuna
  • Canned chicken
  • Individually wrapped snack foods
  • Spices (individual or bulk)
  • Razors
  • Lotion
  • Garbage Bags
  • Baby Wipes
  • Menstrual Pads

To participate in the internal food drive competition, you must be a registered student organization. However, individuals are encouraged to donate outside of the competition component.

Educational Sessions

Wednesday, Nov. 4 - Food Insecurity by Madi Barnes: 4-5 p.m. in Barbie Tootle in the Ohio Union

Thursday, Nov. 12 - The Multiple Dimensions of Healthy Food Access by Dr. Jill Clark: 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Maudine Cow Room in the Ohio Union

Wednesday, Nov. 18 - How Local Communities May Shape Food Access by Dr. Jared Grant: noon-1 p.m. in Barbie Tootle in the Ohio Union

Register for any or all of these educational sessions online.

Local Service Trip

Sunday, November 21st at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Transportation will be provided from the Ohio Union 12th Avenue Loop. Sign up here to attend.

Monetary Giving

This year, we're offering a new way to Battle Against Hunder and TTUN by providing an opportunity for monetary giving to the Monda Student Resource Center. Individuals in a position to give can do so through this unique link. We thank you for you giving!

If you have questions about Pay It Forward or Battle Against Hunger please contact us at payitforward@osu.edu!