Eastern Michigan Athletics
10/21/2026 1:55:00 PM | Football, General
Effort is part of a series of community-focused events leading to the game between EMU and CMU
Food Drive Donation Challenge.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University community is rolling up its sleeves for a day of service to help ensure students and families have reliable access to nutritious food. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 200 volunteers will gather inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, 799 N. Hewitt Road, to package 3,000 meal bags for EMU's Swoop's Food Pantry, Gleaners Community Food Bank, and Forgotten Harvest. A $25,000 grant from Kroger made the initiative possible, leading up to the Eastern Michigan University-Central Michigan University rivalry game on Nov. 4 at Ford Field.
Last year, Swoop's Food Pantry recorded its highest daily student usage. Initiatives like the Motor City Meal Pack help provide access to nutritious meals while allowing students and families to focus on education, work, and other priorities.
"Kroger's donation of 1,000 fully packed grocery bags will make an immediate and meaningful difference for the individuals and families who rely on Swoop's Food Pantry," said Ben Roberts-Widdison, director of Swoop's Pantry at Eastern. "This generous contribution of pantry staples will give Swoop's greater flexibility to keep shelves stocked with essential items that are often out of reach due to budget limitations. We are honored by Kroger's partnership and sincerely grateful for their investment in the health and well-being of the EMU community."
"We're grateful for corporate partners like Kroger that recognize the importance of supporting our students' education and well-being," said EMU President Brendan Kelly. "This generous investment helps reduce a significant burden for students and families, allowing them to focus on what matters most: academic, career, and personal success."
The meal giveaway includes non-perishable food items and recipe cards for two easy, nutritious meals: vegetarian taco bean soup and creamy garlic chicken pasta. Football student-athletes will deliver the packages to the pantries on Thursday, Oct. 29.
"We are proud to partner with Eastern Michigan University on an initiative that will create a real and lasting impact for students, families and communities," said Cam Barrett, Head of Communications and Public Affairs for the Kroger Michigan Division. "By helping address food insecurity on EMU's campus and supporting neighbors across Metro Detroit, this effort demonstrates the power of collaboration to build stronger, healthier communities."
As part of the broader rivalry initiative, Motor City Meal Pack brings the competition beyond the field, encouraging Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan fans to support their communities while earning points for their schools ahead of the Nov. 4 matchup. The battle for the inaugural Motor City Fan Trophy starts long before kickoff, and EMU fans have plenty of ways to help bring the trophy home by helping earn points as part of the competition.
Throughout October, EMU President Brendan Kelly and CMU President Neil MacKinnon will encourage fans to support their teams by liking, sharing, and commenting on social media posts.
Fans can help Eastern earn points by purchasing game tickets or donating tickets for Detroit-area youth, first responders, and nonprofit organizations.
Additional points are available through each university's annual Canned Food Drive, with collection bins across the Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan campuses. Supporters who can't donate food items can also participate by making a monetary gift to Swoop's Food Pantry. For the challenge, every $1 donated will count as one can toward EMU's total. Donations can be made on the Eastern Michigan Foundation website.
Fans will have one final opportunity to help Eastern claim the trophy by wearing their green and white and bringing plenty of energy on game day. The game will be the teams' 104th meeting and their second rivalry game at Detroit's Ford Field, the teams' last match-up at the venue was in 2004.
About Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University is becoming Michigan's first choice for high-quality, applied learning. Located in the heart of Southeast Michigan, one of the nation's leading regions for innovation, automotive and advanced manufacturing, healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship, EMU connects more than 12,000 students to experiences that can't be replicated in the classroom alone. Research, internships, clinical experiences, student teaching, and community-engaged learning are woven into an education designed to prepare graduates for meaningful careers and lifelong success. Learn more at emich.edu.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University community is rolling up its sleeves for a day of service to help ensure students and families have reliable access to nutritious food. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 200 volunteers will gather inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, 799 N. Hewitt Road, to package 3,000 meal bags for EMU's Swoop's Food Pantry, Gleaners Community Food Bank, and Forgotten Harvest. A $25,000 grant from Kroger made the initiative possible, leading up to the Eastern Michigan University-Central Michigan University rivalry game on Nov. 4 at Ford Field.
Last year, Swoop's Food Pantry recorded its highest daily student usage. Initiatives like the Motor City Meal Pack help provide access to nutritious meals while allowing students and families to focus on education, work, and other priorities.
"Kroger's donation of 1,000 fully packed grocery bags will make an immediate and meaningful difference for the individuals and families who rely on Swoop's Food Pantry," said Ben Roberts-Widdison, director of Swoop's Pantry at Eastern. "This generous contribution of pantry staples will give Swoop's greater flexibility to keep shelves stocked with essential items that are often out of reach due to budget limitations. We are honored by Kroger's partnership and sincerely grateful for their investment in the health and well-being of the EMU community."
"We're grateful for corporate partners like Kroger that recognize the importance of supporting our students' education and well-being," said EMU President Brendan Kelly. "This generous investment helps reduce a significant burden for students and families, allowing them to focus on what matters most: academic, career, and personal success."
The meal giveaway includes non-perishable food items and recipe cards for two easy, nutritious meals: vegetarian taco bean soup and creamy garlic chicken pasta. Football student-athletes will deliver the packages to the pantries on Thursday, Oct. 29.
"We are proud to partner with Eastern Michigan University on an initiative that will create a real and lasting impact for students, families and communities," said Cam Barrett, Head of Communications and Public Affairs for the Kroger Michigan Division. "By helping address food insecurity on EMU's campus and supporting neighbors across Metro Detroit, this effort demonstrates the power of collaboration to build stronger, healthier communities."
As part of the broader rivalry initiative, Motor City Meal Pack brings the competition beyond the field, encouraging Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan fans to support their communities while earning points for their schools ahead of the Nov. 4 matchup. The battle for the inaugural Motor City Fan Trophy starts long before kickoff, and EMU fans have plenty of ways to help bring the trophy home by helping earn points as part of the competition.
Throughout October, EMU President Brendan Kelly and CMU President Neil MacKinnon will encourage fans to support their teams by liking, sharing, and commenting on social media posts.
Fans can help Eastern earn points by purchasing game tickets or donating tickets for Detroit-area youth, first responders, and nonprofit organizations.
Additional points are available through each university's annual Canned Food Drive, with collection bins across the Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan campuses. Supporters who can't donate food items can also participate by making a monetary gift to Swoop's Food Pantry. For the challenge, every $1 donated will count as one can toward EMU's total. Donations can be made on the Eastern Michigan Foundation website.
Fans will have one final opportunity to help Eastern claim the trophy by wearing their green and white and bringing plenty of energy on game day. The game will be the teams' 104th meeting and their second rivalry game at Detroit's Ford Field, the teams' last match-up at the venue was in 2004.
About Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University is becoming Michigan's first choice for high-quality, applied learning. Located in the heart of Southeast Michigan, one of the nation's leading regions for innovation, automotive and advanced manufacturing, healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship, EMU connects more than 12,000 students to experiences that can't be replicated in the classroom alone. Research, internships, clinical experiences, student teaching, and community-engaged learning are woven into an education designed to prepare graduates for meaningful careers and lifelong success. Learn more at emich.edu.
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, October 20
Monday, October 19