Our Origins
Alec Admonius, Buckeye Food Alliance Founder, standing in the original student food pantry.
It's a common idea that pervades American culture: when you're in college, it's simply a rite of passage to sustain yourself on cheap, unhealthy food.
We disagree.
In 2014, a research group at Ohio State conducted a survey that determined 15 percent of undergraduate students—approximately 7,000—suffer from the effects of very low food security. This means that, on a frequent basis, these Buckeyes are unable to afford enough food to adequately feed themselves.
Not only were these students being forced to sustain themselves on a diet of things like Ramen noodles and hot dogs, but even with eating cheap, unhealthy food many still couldn't afford to adequately feed themselves. With continually ballooning costs of tuition, school supplies, housing, and other expenses, paying for food becomes a luxury to some students—rather than the necessity that it should be.
While the university does its part to ensure students who live on campus have a meal plan, some of those students acknowledged several of their peers lacked reliable access to affordable, nutritious food.
After searching for a convenient, safe, and comfortable space for students that offered the room necessary to accommodate large amounts of inventory, The Office of Student Life generously donated a space in Lincoln Tower. After months of renovations and collecting food, Buckeye Food Alliance opened its doors on March 30, 2016.
Alec Admonius
Founder
Monda Student Resource Center
In April of 2025, the Monda Student Resource Center opened its doors and provided a new home for the Buckeye Food Alliance volunteers. Instead of the Buckeye Food Alliance being its own pantry, instead it is a student organization that provides volunteers from the Monda Student Resource Center.
The Monda Student Resource Center is home to the Student Food Pantry, the Reid Family Career Closet, Nutrition Coaching, Wellness Coaching, the Student Support Specialist, and so much more!
The Buckeye Food Alliance specifically volunteers the Student Food Pantry and the Reid Family Career Closet, expending our mission from food insecurity, to also include clothing insecurity.
We are so very thankful for the Monda Student Resource Center and how it has allowed us to expand our impact to as many Buckeyes as possible. If you would like more information on the Monda Student Resource Center, please click the red “Learn More” button below.