ATHENS, OH - Three deserving organizations were awarded grants totaling $25,000 for their respective causes during a small ceremony on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Bentley Hall in Athens, Ohio.
The Ohio University Foundation and The Joe Burrow Foundation each contributed $12,500 to make the grant possible. The recipients, who fit the grant’s food insecurity theme, were Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP), Rural Action, and the Athens Meigs Educational Service Center (AMESC).
OU students in the Economics of Altruism course reviewed numerous projects and ultimately decided to support three organizations. The class taught by Julia Paxton, Ph.D.
Professor and Undergraduate Director of Economics, focused on effective philanthropy and the grantmaking process.
“Welcome, Robin and Jimmy Burrow! The amazing thing about this economics class is that we have an endowment at Ohio University. Even after I am gone, there is this endowment that will keep giving to the community,” Paxton explained. “The Joe Burrow Foundation has been incredibly generous in matching the amount we are giving away. We are so incredibly grateful.”
The college students shared that they had the difficult task of narrowing down the number of nonprofit organizations that best aligned with their mission. A common theme when students from each group spoke about their prospective project was that they fell in love with the organizations and how they help the community.
The AMESC asked for support in helping supportive districts in Athens and Meigs County, receiving a grant for $8,029.92 to buy materials to help food pantries run more smoothly, such as reusable bags, carts, and storage.
“It’s really hard to beat that link– teachers have such incredible inside information when we’re talking about food insecurity,” said Paxton.
AMESC Superintendent Lindy Douglas expressed deep appreciation for the funding, which will support the Food Pantry Project and help address students’ essential needs.
“I have been in education for many years, and the basic needs of students never go away,” Douglas said. “Many children face circumstances beyond their control—they don’t choose their parents or their living situations. It truly takes a community working together to support and raise our children.”
Beth Lanning is the Career Coach at Southern High School, Career Pathways Specialist at the AMESC, and a grant writer.
“We poured our hearts into writing this grant, so being awarded these funds to support food pantries across several school districts is truly humbling,” said Lanning. “As I listened to the college students share why they felt called to support all three organizations, I found myself getting emotional. There was something incredibly powerful about their sincerity—their kindness, their energy, and the genuine joy they brought into the room. These young people are already making a real difference, and witnessing that gave me so much hope. Knowing that, because of this, families who are struggling will have food on their tables… that’s a feeling that’s hard to put into words. It’s overwhelming in the best possible way.”
“Each school district touches so many kids, and this grant will help food pantries run more smoothly for years to come,” said Amy Robinson, Project RISE Director at the AMESC. “As a mom, I would be very proud of everyone in this class. You’re impacting lives in ways you’ll never know.”
The students in the class visited the AMESC in Chauncey to discuss the grant and tour the food pantry used by the Athens Local School District (the administration is housed in the same building as the AMESC).
Southern Elementary Principal Mrs. Tricia McNickle was part of the review process, where the college students asked her questions about the food pantry at Southern Local School District.
“We are deeply grateful to be a part of this grant in support of our food pantry, " McNickle expressed. “This funding will make a meaningful difference in our ability to serve individuals and families in need, ensuring greater access to nutritious food and essential resources. It’s very fulfilling to help families who need support. It’s so heartbreaking to see our students and community members go without basic needs.”
SLDS Superintendent Tony Deem and SHS Principal Daniel Otto were especially grateful for the support from Ohio University and the Joe Burrow Foundation.
“This kind of partnership makes a real difference for our students and families,” said Deem. “It’s more than just providing food—it’s showing our community that people care and are willing to step up when it matters most.”
Otto echoed that gratitude, adding, “Support like this gives our students a sense of stability and hope. Knowing that organizations believe in them and are investing in their well-being is incredibly powerful. We’re thankful to be part of something that is truly changing lives.”
Rural Action was awarded just over $7,500 for its Farm to Food Pantry Program, which helps coordinate food products and produce from local farmers directly to local food pantries in the Southeastern Ohio region.
Rural Action’s Food Access Manager, Shane Benton, attended the ceremony and was thrilled to accept the grant and actually talk to the college students behind the decision making.
“The focus of this funding is specifically for work in other counties in Southeast Ohio. Meigs County has a 26.7% Childhood Food Insecurity Rate according to a 2023 study conducted by Feeding America. Hocking has 22.1% Childhood Food Insecurity according to the same study. They also have The HAPCAP for Health Market, which is a choice pantry set up like a grocery store where people go around with grocery carts choosing their food,” Benton said. “We do have an insulated EV Cargo Van. I use it whenever I can to reduce the gas costs.”
Lastly, HAPCAP received a $9,400 grant to cover the host site fee for a COMCorps member for the 2026-2027 program year. COMCorps is an AmeriCorps program housed and operated at Ohio University's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Those in attendance for accepting the award were Jocelyn Howard, HAPCAP’s Housing Services Coordinator, and Valerie Stillson, HAPCAP’s Chief Development Officer.
“This money is going to cover the host site fee for our Food Access & Programming COMCorps member,” Howard explained. "That person will focus on securing food for our guests at the Sunset Shelter on Columbus Road in Athens, while working closely with community partners and local businesses to source donations and strengthen our food supply. They will also help our guests apply for any benefits they may be eligible for, as well as plan and implement educational programming like cooking, meal planning, and food safety and storage workshops.”
HAPCAP will have a second COMCorps member at the Sunset Shelter whose focus will be on coordinating and scheduling volunteer training and shifts. They will also work with shelter guests and community partners to plan and implement value-added programming, such as wellness, educational, workforce readiness, and recreational programs and activities based on needs assessments of current shelter guests.
“We are all doing such wonderful things. We truly couldn’t do that without the support and the funding like OU and the Joe Burrow Foundation,” Stillson commented.
Robin Burrow was very impressed with the class, and the top three organizations were awarded the grant. She also had some advice for the college students.
“All of you will soon be going out into the world. It doesn't matter what job you have; there may be a knock on your door one day where your boss says, ‘Hey, we have this opportunity to get a grant. I don’t have time to write it, give it your best shot,’” Robin shared. “I think the experience in this class will give you a really good foundation. You can make a difference. Thank you, Julie, for giving them this opportunity.”
“Joe says everybody has the responsibility to do good. That’s why we have these t-shirts. That’s what the Joe Burrow Foundation tries to do,” Jimmy added. “All of the organizations that received these awards are definitely doing well. You’re doing well as students. This would not be possible without Julie being a fantastic instructor.”
“I hope the students expand their circle of care to include people who aren’t just in their inner circle. I hope the students will be intentional about including those who have needs. That is an important part as you move forward and graduate from OU. I hope you create opportunities to act kindly,” Paxton concluded.
A special thank you to everyone who wrote a support letter and helped present to the OU class, including Athens City School District superheroes- Superintendent Chad Springer and Mona French, with Student and Family Support.