Ohio State students on a Medici Project trip pose at the Nashville Rescue Mission March 16, 2026, in Nashville. Students helped prepare and distribute food to guests experiencing homelessness during their first service of the week. The Medici Project’s Addressing Urban Poverty trip will be offered through Buck-I-SERV during winter break for the first time. Credit: Courtesy of Tyler Darby
Two Nashville trips have been added to Buck-I-SERV, Ohio State’s alternative break program, for winter break 2026, replacing two previously offered trips.
The Nashville Humane Association trip, focused on animal welfare, marks a new community partnership. The Addressing Urban Poverty trip with the Medici Project, a community partner since 2013, will be offered during winter break for the first time, according to Justin Khol, senior coordinator for community and civic engagement for Buck-I-SERV.
Buck-I-SERV is Ohio State’s alternative break program, which gives students the opportunity to participate in service trips during university breaks. The program offers 30 to 35 trips each year and works with community partners to give students opportunities to serve and learn about community-identified needs, Khol said.
Khol said the Medici Project, an organization that works with colleges to provide alternative break trips, had partners in need of volunteers for winter break, giving Buck-I-SERV an opportunity to continue its longtime partnership with the organization.?
Students on the trip will assist several organizations, including local food banks and clothing centers, Khol said.
“We have an emphasis on serving,” Khol said. “Working alongside the community, learning from the community members there and not just popping in and trying to fix something or assume something’s broken.”
The two Nashville trips replaced two trips that could not be offered this winter, allowing Buck-I-SERV to maintain the same number of winter trips as last year, Kohl said.
Special Olympics Baltimore was unable to host a group during winter break 2026 because of funding cuts and staffing changes. The Medici Project is not offering its juvenile justice service trip in Atlanta at this time because its relationship with the local juvenile justice department changed, leading Buck-I-SERV to continue its partnership with the organization through trip instead, Khol said.
Laura Baker, the executive director of the Nashville Humane Association and an Ohio State alumna, said various projects depend on factors like the organization’s needs or January weather.
Baker said in an email students may engage in animal care during the trip, with the chance to take adoptable dogs to pet-friendly locations around Nashville, organize shelter supplies and prepare insulated houses for community cats.
Baker also said Nashville Humane Association hopes the experience can provide students with a therapeutic opportunity while introducing them to nonprofit management and animal sheltering.
“We see this as an opportunity to spark inspiration in others to make the world a better place,” Baker said.?
Tyler Darby, a fourth-year in biology and Buck-I-SERV board member, said he made a connection with Baker while participating in the Medici Project trip to Nashville during spring break 2026.
Baker said meeting members of the Buck-I-SERV program inspired her to find another way to give back to her community and Ohio State.
Baker said she was soon connected with the Buck-I-SERV team and began planning the Nashville Humane Association trip.
Darby said group bonding is a significant part of Buck-I-SERV trips.
“This year, the groups are staying together, which is new for us,” Darby said. “It’ll be really cool to see two groups, same place, two different services.”
Khol said the deadline to apply for Buck-I-SERV’s domestic winter trips is Oct. 4. The trips will take place Jan. 2-9, 2027, according to the Buck-I-SERV website.?
Miles Charanghat, a fourth-year in exercise science education who has participated in two Buck-I-SERV trips, said expanding the range of service opportunities can allow more students to participate in experiences that align with their interests and offer lessons beyond the service work.?
Charanghat said offering service opportunities during winter break can also make them more accessible for students who have time to participate.
“I think for the student it could be the moment of most growth that teaches the importance of volunteering, importance of inclusion and importance of positivity,” Charanghat said.
Charanghat said that strong connections through their participation with Buck-I-SERV.
“I came in with nine strangers, left with nine best friends,” Charanghat said.
