Homecoming is a tradition that spans back to 1911 and originated here in the Show Me State — at The University of Missouri. Because of this meaningful heritage, each year, the Mizzou Homecoming Steering Committee works to make homecoming engaging and fun. This year, the steering committee also set out to make a real impact in the community, as well. In doing so, the celebration made a big difference for neighbors facing food insecurity.
“We wanted to engage the community beyond the “classic” homecoming events, such as the football game and the parade,” said Steering Committee Director Jonathan Jain.
The group kept The Food Bank’s Volunteer Room busy throughout the entire month of September, as well as hosted Tiger Food Fight with Mizzou Greek Life. Tiger Food Fight is a food drive that has become a Mizzou homecoming tradition, but this year students gathered more than double what was collected compared to past years. In total, the 2023 Tiger Food Fight fundraised $7,492.40 and collected 92,578 pounds of canned food.
The results of the event benefited Tiger Pantry — one of The Food Bank’s partner agencies that serves the Mizzou community — as well as partners across our 32-county service area.
Mizzou Greek Life students unload and sort through donations during Tiger Food Fight, 2023.
Doubling efforts for Tiger Food Fight wasn’t enough for Mizzou Homecoming, though. Instead, they went even further to embody the University of Missouri value of responsibility by organizing another canned food drive and fundraiser for The Food Bank in collaboration with Columbia Public Schools (CPS) and The District.
Columbia schools competed against each other by gathering funds and non-perishable goods. CPS was delighted to collaborate with Mizzou Homecoming to address food insecurity and the challenges it can create for students. According to a Feeding America survey, 46% of children from low-income families report that hunger negatively affects their performance in school.
“It’s difficult to learn when you’re hungry and your basic needs are not being met,” said CPS Spokesperson Michelle Baumstark “This community effort supports our scholars so they can achieve.”
John Ridgeway Elementary School Principal Taryn Brinlee jumped on the opportunity to join in the Mizzou Homecoming drive when she heard about the event. As a smaller school, Brinlee wasn’t sure how the food drive would go for Ridgeway. To help inspire students, she started a friendly competition that encouraged participation. Extra recess time, popcorn and popsicles all sweetened the deal for students. In addition, some parents helped by creating uniquely decorated boxes to boost food collection. The boxes, known as the “food monsters,” were adorned with giant googly eyes, construction paper faces and windows so students could see their progress.
Food donations from students were collected by “food monsters” at Ridgeway Elementary.
In total, CPS gathered 2,496 pounds of food — and despite being one of the smallest schools in the district, Ridgeway Elementary raised almost 30% of that total by gathering an incredible 747 pounds of food.
Brinlee was excited for the win and the collaboration that went into it. “Almost every kid contributed,” she said. “It was truly a group effort.” And Ridgeway Elementary was about to see even more excitement when they received their prize from Mizzou Homecoming.
To celebrate the school that donated the most during the drive, Mizzou coordinated a parade at Ridegeway. The event starred student-athletes, the Mizzou Golden Girls and even Truman the Tiger. Students gathered along the school’s playgrounds to welcome and celebrate the guests. Before the parade even started, Ridgeway students chanted the familiar game day call and response of “M-I-Z” and “Z-O-U.” Armed with pompoms, the children roared as Truman came out and the rest of the parade began.
Mizzou athletes and cheerleaders congratulated the crowd of students at Ridgeway Elementary on their accomplishments.
After athletes and cheerleaders congratulated the crowd, the Mizzou visitors gathered in the middle of the playground for a meet-and-greet with students. Class by class, students rushed the group and received hugs, handshakes, high fives and even autographs.
While the children were most excited about the parade, Brinlee hopes the students remember the incredible impact they can have on the community when they work together.
“One little act of kindness has a ripple effect,” Brinlee said. “Even being one person, you can make a difference.”
The experience was certainly memorable for Ridgeway Elementary students, but it was an important lesson for the Mizzou Homecoming team, too. Jain said the students' prize for their collective act of kindness was intended to bring the Mizzou Homecoming Parade experience right to their school.
“We really hope it is a great experience for them and makes them feel special,” he said.
Mizzou Homecoming successfully managed to make a positive impact on students, but on an even larger scale, they also had an impact on thousands of neighbors experiencing food insecurity in our 32-county service area.
“We had great collaboration and partnership with Columbia Public Schools and The Food Bank ... everything really came together,” Jain said.
From a food drive with CPS to Tiger Food Fight to the many hours Mizzou Greek Life served in The Food Bank Volunteer Room, Mizzou students have shown that supporting The Food Bank’s efforts to fight hunger can be wonderfully multi-faceted. One person, one group or one school has the power to make a tangible, lasting difference for those in need.