Sisters Honor Family Legacy with Gift to Support Student New Food Pantry

By Aisha Echols

For sisters Renee Zapis Seybert and Donna Zapis Thomas, supporting Ohio State students is a deeply personal and family-driven commitment. Their generous gift helps to support a student food pantry, which will be a key feature of the Monda Student Resource Center, set to open on April 25.  

For several years, Buckeye Food Alliance, a student-run pantry, has existed on the Ohio State campus and provided vital support to students facing food insecurity — an issue that affects many Ohio State students. According to a 2024 Office of Student Life survey, more than 30 percent of Ohio State students indicated they have experienced food insecurity. In 2024, Buckeye Food Alliance reported more than 8,500 visits, up 31 percent from the previous year. 

Now, thanks to Renee and Donna, the food pantry will be relocated to a new space within the Monda Student Resource Center. This move provides a more centralized location and offers students a dedicated space to access food assistance. Additional essential needs support resources, such as the Reid Family Career Closet for professional attire and private meeting areas for university and community resources, including financial aid, emergency financial assistance, housing assistance and more are also part of the new Monda Student Resource Center.  

“Our inspiration for supporting the new food pantry stems from the philanthropy instilled in us by our parents, Xen and Lula Zapis,” said Donna. “They set an example for us in the importance of caring for those in need.”  

Renee and Donna became part of the Buckeye family through their sons—Ohio State alumni Robert X. Thomas (’20) and Christian E. Seybert (’22). By supporting the food pantry, the sisters honor their parents’ legacy while ensuring students facing food insecurity have access to vital resources. 

Recognizing the significant impact food insecurity can have on a student’s overall well-being and academic success, the sisters emphasize the importance of accessibility. “Without proper nutrition or access to food, all other aspects of one’s life may be impacted,” Donna explained. “We hope the new food pantry is in a convenient location so that students experiencing food insecurity can access it without hesitation.”  

As they look forward to the opening of the Monda Student Resource Center, Renee and Donna are grateful that the space will serve as more than a food pantry. “We are excited that students will not only have a place to shop for food but also receive additional support in other areas of need,” they shared.  

Through their generosity, the sisters continue a family tradition of giving, ensuring that Ohio State students have the resources they need to thrive.