13,700 Meals Packaged at Feed the Funnel

By Nichole Black
^{Digital Marketing Strategist, McCoy College of Business}

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Students, faculty, and staff from the McCoy College of Business and across Texas State University gathered on Friday, February 25, to package over 13,700 meals for the Hays County Food Bank and Bobcat Bounty, the university’s food pantry. This is the second time McCoy College has hosted Feed the Funnel in collaboration with The Pack Shack, the organization that has helped pack over 39 million meals at Feed the Funnel events across the country. 

“An event like Feed the Funnel is essential to re-stocking the food banks shelves,” said Iris Tate, Community Relations Coordinator at the Hays County Food Bank. “We heavily rely on third-party food drives and fundraisers throughout our community like this to keep us on track to serve the several cities that we do, including San Marcos, Kyle, and Buda. These 13,700 meals will be given to families, individuals, and organizations for many months to come.”

How It Works
Once the hairnets and gloves are on, everyone is ready to feed the funnel — literally pouring dry goods though a large funnel into a meal bag. The meal packaging begins by volunteers loading in the supplies and distributing the meal ingredients to the packing tables. Then, groups of four to five volunteers take turns feeding their designated ingredients through the funnel and into the meal package. The meals are then sealed and boxed, ready to be sent to those in need. 

I really enjoyed having the opportunity to participate in Feed the Funnel," said Rayvin Biggers, McCoy College sophomore majoring in management. "The event was amazing, everyone successfully worked together. It’s heartwarming to know that we made a difference in the peoples lives that the meals we created benefit."

This year, Feed the Funnel served as the capstone event for Business Leadership Week (BLW) with the comprehensive theme of Compassion in Action. BLW offers opportunities to connect with the business community in conversations about leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and ethics. BLW also presents students, faculty, and staff with opportunities to give back to the local community.

“As the final event for Business Leadership Week, Feed the Funnel brings together students, faculty, and staff to have some fun and to help our community,” said Dr. Sanjay Ramchander, Dean of the McCoy College of Business. “It is our expectation that this will become an annual event and will grow in the number of participants and number of meals prepared.”

For more information on the food pantry for Texas State students, faculty, and staff, visit the Bobcat Bounty website. Visit the Hays County Food Bank website for information on how to donate, volunteer, or get help though food assistance programs. ✯

For media inquiries about this story or about the McCoy College of Business, contact Twister Marquiss, Manager of Marketing and Communications, at 512.245.2990 or twister@txstate.edu.