This March, departments and student groups across OSU are competing to be the top fundraiser for OSU’s annual food drive, a university-wide tradition of more than 15 years. Each year, through the efforts of students, employees and the broader OSU community, hundreds of thousands of meals are donated to the Linn-Benton Food Share and other local food banks across Oregon. These donations provide essential assistance to local residents and OSU students facing food insecurity.
The Honors College Student Association has consistently placed first or second place in the student organization award category in the university-wide competition. In 2025, HCSA’s food drive efforts resulted in 2,145 meals donated to the Linn-Benton Food Share.
Cosette Fowler, a fourth-year biohealth sciences major, has served on the HCSA service team throughout her time at OSU and has been the service executive for the past three years. “The competition can be a fun motivator, and I have high hopes for the HCSA doing well this year,” she says.
Cosette says it has been "rewarding to hear from representatives of the Linn Benton Food Share” about the impact of donations,” which has motivated her to continue to stay involved.
“The Linn-Benton Food Share has helped many people in the community and provides food to groups that directly benefit students, such as the Basic Needs center,” says Cosette. “It’s really cool to be able to serve students and members of the Corvallis community.”
Emily Adams, a first-year construction management major and HCSA service vice chair, helped plan this year’s drive. “The food drive helps a lot of people, and is a great way to bring community members, the Honors College, students and local organizations together to support an important cause,” she says. “It shows how we are all connected.”
This year, the HCSA is engaging the community in several ways.
A new initiative is the HCSA Care Package fundraiser. Family members and other supporters are encouraged to purchase midterm care packages to support their HC students this spring. Each Midterm Care Package is $35, and 100% of proceeds from this fundraiser go to the Linn Benton Food Share. All care packages are assembled by HCSA members.
Two care packages are available for purchase: a Lock‑In Package with snacks and productivity boosters and an allergen-free Self‑Care Package centered on wellness and relaxation. Sample packages are on display in the SLUG, (LinC 340) during the month of March for students who want to see what’s included.
Katelyn Bye, the HC Executive Assistant, calls the packages “a win-win for everybody. Loved ones get to send a happy gift to their student and make them feel loved. At the same time, we're also able to support the Linn Benton Food Share through this fundraiser. It’s an important resource for people and students in our community, and we want to support the food drive however we can.”
Orders can be placed through an online form through March 31. Students receiving care packages will receive an email during Week 3 of the spring term when their package is ready to be picked up in the SLUG on the Corvallis campus or the Student Success Center 110C at OSU Cascades.
Those who prefer to donate directly to the HCSA Food Drive can do so on the OSU Foundation’s website and should note “HCSA Food Drive” in the comments field.
HCSA is also hosting a match night at the Corvallis Panda Express on March 30, where 20% of the proceeds will go towards the food drive. To support the effort, purchase food at Panda Express and tell the cashier you’re there for the HCSA Food Drive fundraiser.
In addition to the care packages and match night, students on the HCSA service team have been collecting food donations from local churches and tabling at Corvallis grocery stores.
HCSA team members say it has been heartening to meet so many community supporters — from a farmer who offered to donate an entire pallet of canned soup to people who have used Linn Benton Food Share’s resources in the past and want to give back. "It’s nice to know that people in the community care enough to give even when things can be a bit hard on everybody,” says Giada Giacomini, a first-year bioengineering major and HCSA service vice chair. “It’s a great cause, and people have been super willing to help however they can.”
Service team members encourage students, families and community members to get involved and contribute time or money if they are able. “Every dollar raised in this food drive will give back to your community and feed somebody,” says Giada.
To follow the HCSA's food drive efforts and ways to get involved or donate, follow @hcsa_osu on Instagram. Students interested in helping with the annual food drive or other HCSA initiatives are welcome at HCSA’s weekly meetings on Mondays at 5 p.m. in LInC 343. HCSA is open for all honors students to join. More information about other OSU food drive events and initiatives on the OSU Food Drive website.
