Every year Omaha Athletics participates in a Summit League food drive that gathers cans and other dry goods to support one of their local food pantries.
The Summit League Food Fight gathers for a face-off with the other nine Summit League schools in which a friendly competition challenges each school to see who can raise the most goods in pounds. The food fight has been annually occurring since before UNO joined the Summit League.
“Typically, in years past, we’re able to do a physical food drive, whether it’s at Baxter arena, or with elementary schools in the Papillon LaVista school district,” said Dani Brooke, director of student athlete development. “This year we’re not able to do that. Everything is done online. There’s no physical donations that are being accepted.”
Due to the food drive being virtual, participants are encouraged to use the online platform to donate goods. The You Give Goods website has been an alternate source to donate in years past but became the main resource this year due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions.
The turnout this year hasn’t been as productive as in years past. Currently, Omaha Athletics ranks in 8th place with a few pounds raised. Although as recently as 2017-2018, UNO won the food fight by raising 56,583 pounds of food.
With the food fight ending on March 31, The hope is to bring in a few more pounds of food before the deadline, said Brooke.
“You know, we’re excited to finish the food fight for this year, but at the same time anxious to get it back in person next year just to see if that will help, you know, help with the donations and the amount, because a lot of people are still in need, and we want to obviously contribute to that,” said Brooke.
Maverick Food Pantry coordinator Madeline St. Clair stressed the importance of food drives and food pantries, especially in a pandemic.
“We have a consistent few people who just get two bags a week. Like you can see them every week, you know they’re gonna come, you know what’s in their bag just because you fill it so often. So, I think we’re just providing just a constant place that they know that they can get this stuff,” said St. Clair.
