More than 100 volunteers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Oregon are pictured at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

Different Teams, Same Fight

Students and fans representing UW–Madison and the University of Oregon teamed up at a Los Angeles food bank, packaging food for 2,240 seniors in need.

By Preston Schmitt (words) and Bryce Richter (photos)

More than 100 volunteers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Oregon are pictured at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

“We’re going to be rooting for different teams tomorrow, but today we’re going to fight hunger together.” And so they did, Ducks and Badgers, volunteering as one to package enough food Tuesday morning to feed 2,240 seniors in need in the Los Angeles area.

UW–Madison dean of students Christina Olstad delivered that opening charge at a Los Angeles Regional Food Bank warehouse, where more than 100 students, staff and fans in town for the Rose Bowl Game gathered in the sport of service.

UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank speaks to more 100 volunteer participants from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Oregon at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. — UW–Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank delivers opening remarks to more than 100 student, staff and fan volunteers at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

UW students Olivia Haessly (left) and Caitlyn Raatz (center) work with Dean of Students Christina Olstad (right) to fill boxes with canned goods.

“We try to embody the Wisconsin Idea – that you learn through action, not just in classes,” said UW senior Hannah Baker, who traveled a half hour to the Commerce, Calif., facility with roommates Hannah Walker and Logan Klein.

The volunteers arrived in rivaling red and green but changed into matching “Fighting Hunger Together” shirts and hats. Symbolizing friendly competition, the marching bands from both schools greeted volunteers with alternating tunes and “Drumline” vibes. The event, organized by Oregon’s Division of Student Life and the UW’s Student Affairs, served as a natural extension of food insecurity initiatives on both campuses.

Once inside, the volunteers lined two conveyer belts and were assigned precise tasks. They unwrapped pallets of canned and boxed foods and assembled packages of spaghetti noodles, fruit, peanut butter, milk, pink salmon, soup and more.

The belts never paused during the 90 minutes. Facility workers marveled at the volunteers’ efficiency while volunteers admired the workers’ tricks of the trade. Ingrid Filakousky learned how to loosen plastic wrapping by dragging a can over the top of it. A 26-year-old accountant from Orange, Calif., she had no affiliation to either university but was inspired to volunteer after learning about the collaboration online. (She’s now a fan of both schools, she said.)

Picking up the plastic wrapping and sorting out cardboard were five UW students running on adrenaline. They had arrived in Los Angeles at midnight that morning after a 30-hour road trip from Madison. “It’s cool to put sports aside and come together for a common cause,” said Molly Leyden, whose group drove through nine states on their way to serve.

Local volunteer Ingrid Silakousky from Orange, California lends a hand unwrapping canned goods. — Ingrid Filakousky unwraps packages of vegetable soup. The local resident was inspired to volunteer after learning about the collaboration between the Rose Bowl competitors online.

UW students Daniel Ledin, Asher Anderson, Molly Leyden, Suzy Dawood and Josie Calvey break down cardboard containers and plastic wrap to be recycled. The group has traveled by car together to attend the 2020 Rose Bowl game. — UW students Daniel Ledin, Asher Anderson, Molly Leyden, Suzy Dawood and Josie Calvey break down and recycle cardboard containers. The group had just arrived in Los Angeles following a 30-hour road trip from Madison.

Music, smiles and laughs filled the warehouse and fueled the volunteers. “There are some Oregon guys on the other end of the factory that are dancing with their boxes of spaghetti, and we’re doing a little dance off,” said Walker, a UW senior who boxed vegetable soup.

Rumors that the group was approaching the facility’s record for such a project provided even more inspiration. As empty boxes ran out and the conveyer belt came to a halt, a volunteer exclaimed: “I don’t want to stop!”

“Me either,” his neighbor replied. Together, today, they fought hunger.

Volunteers assemble and package boxes of food.

Mark Guthier, associate vice chancellor and director of the Wisconsin Union, works with Sabinna Pierre (center), president of the associate students of the University of Oregon and badger fan Peggy Mat-Siewert (right) to build cardboard boxes.

Mark Guthier (left), associate vice chancellor and director of the Wisconsin Union, works with Sabinna Pierre (center), president of the associated students of the University of Oregon, and Badgers fan Peggy Mat-Siewert (right) to build cardboard boxes.

Badger fan Michael Milz loads full boxes onto a pallet

Badgers fan Michael Milz inspects and loads a full box of food onto a pallet.

Annette Hanks (left), a regional volunteer with the University of Oregon parent and family programs, works with UW fan Kathryn May (right) to fill boxes with canned goods

Annette Hanks (left), a regional volunteer with the University of Oregon’s parent and family programs, works with Badgers fan Kathryn May (right) to add canned salmon to the packages.

Members of the UW Spirit Squad and the UW Band perform

Members of the UW Spirit Squad and the Marching Band perform for volunteers ahead of the service event.

Badger fans Lauren Hermsen and Emily Milz fill boxes with canned fruit

Badgers fans Lauren Hermsen and Emily Milz stuff boxes with canned fruit.

UW alum Meghan Hickey (left) and Tiffany Fritz (right), director of parent and family programs at the University of Oregon, fill boxes with canned goods

UW alumna Meghan Hickey (left) and Tiffany Fritz (right), director of parent and family programs at the University of Oregon, fill boxes with canned goods.

Volunteers concentrate on their craft, eventually filling 2,240 total boxes.