OHIO, Athens community donations assist local food shelter during the 2017 holiday season

The Holiday Film Series, an annual staple within uptown Athens and one of the area's strong partnerships with Ohio University, experienced near-record attendance and donations totals in 2017.

The seasonal event offers tickets to holiday movies in exchange for food or cash donations for the Athens County Food Bank to benefit area residents in need. 

The Athena Cinema of Ohio University’s College of Fine Arts partnered with the Department of Real Estate Management, Community Engagement and Economic Development to host the sixth-annual Holiday Film Series. 

The event’s 2017 donations and attendance totals included:

• 956 pounds in food donations, an increase of 200 pounds compared to 2016.
  • All donations were provided to the Athens County Food Pantry.
• $871.00 in monetary donations, a $553.00 increase from 2016.
  • All monetary donations were provided to the Athens County Food Pantry.
• 960 community attendees, an increase of 300 individuals from 2016.

To date, 3,450 Holiday Film Series moviegoers have donated over 5,250 pounds of food and more than $1,580 in cash to this initiative since the seasonal event began in 2011.

“The main purpose of this initiative will always be to give back to the greater Athens community and families in need during the holiday season,” said David Averion, manager of real estate operations. “We thank everyone who has donated their time, food and money to this wonderful local effort.”

Athena Cinema Director Alexandra Kamody said that the theater is proud to host an event that provides an opportunity for students and community members to gather together and enjoy the holiday season.

"It is such a joy to be part of this series," Kamody said. "It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the season with family and friends and to enjoy the beauty of Uptown Athens during the holidays."

The Office of Real Estate Management and the Athena Cinema would like to thank all 2017 patrons for their ongoing support of this initiative; they would also like to offer a special thanks to the Ohio University Sparkle Cheer team and the Athens High School Key Club for their volunteer efforts in support of the project.

Details regarding the seventh-annual Holiday Film Series will be shared later this year.