As Oklahoma State University celebrates Homecoming, students are turning school spirit into community impact by collecting food donations for individuals and families in need, including those in the Oklahoma City area.

Robert Sierra, a senior from Comanche, Texas, studying agribusiness and animal science, is this year's Harvest Carnival director on the Homecoming executive team. He helped lead the food donation effort, which collected more than 10,000 items for food pantries.

In addition to its longstanding partnership with Harvest II, Sierra selected Pete's Pantry at OSU-Oklahoma City as a beneficiary to extend the effort beyond Stillwater.

"Coming from a student perspective, I figured a lot of students could use some of the items that were donated,” Sierra said. “I really wanted to help out where it was needed."

Of the more than 10,000 items collected, Sierra estimated more than 7,000 went to OSU-OKC’s Pete's Pantry. Donations were tracked as Greek pairings delivered their contributions, allowing organizers to calculate the total and help receiving organizations manage the items.

"We are incredibly grateful to the Homecoming Executive Committee for selecting OSU-OKC’s Pete's Pantry as one of their Harvest Carnival partners," said Jesus Raygosa, director of Student Life at OSU-OKC. "Their generous food donation will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students by helping us address food insecurity and ensuring that students have access to essential resources. This partnership is a powerful example of how the OSU community can come together to support student success."

For Sierra, the effort represents what makes Harvest Carnival a meaningful part of Homecoming. The event brings together OSU students, the Stillwater community and surrounding areas through a shared commitment to service.

“Harvest Carnival brings together the Stillwater community and all the surrounding areas with the OSU community, and it really bridges that gap,” Sierra said. “The donations, I think, are really what makes it all worth it and worthwhile.”

That commitment extends beyond the food drive itself. More than 200 students help organize Homecoming through the executive team, steering committee and additional committees, working together to bring the week's events to life.

Sierra said the opportunity to contribute to something larger than himself made serving as Harvest Carnival director especially meaningful. After the university’s fountain was dyed orange ahead of Homecoming, he reflected on the significance of being part of the tradition.

“It literally brought tears to my eyes,” Sierra said. “Just thinking about how I could be part of something special.”

While Homecoming is known for its traditions, celebrations and Cowboy spirit, the Harvest Carnival food drive demonstrates how those traditions can also support communities beyond campus. By sending thousands of donated items to Oklahoma City, OSU students are extending the impact of Homecoming to people who may never have attended the festivities in Stillwater.

For Sierra, that spirit of service is what makes Homecoming worthwhile.

“I’m super excited to be a part of it,” Sierra said. “I think that it’s a great opportunity and experience.”

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