New Philadelphia, OH (October 14, 2026) – Buckeye Career Center staff members have concluded their annual purchase and donation of a market hog from the Tuscarawas County Fair, with this year’s donation benefiting the Greater Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry.

Staff raised a total of $2,720 to purchase the 284-pound market hog shown by Brody Cameron. Cameron is a BCC senior enrolled in Utility Lineworker and Electrical Systems Technology. He attends BCC from Claymont High School. The hog was purchased for $2,556 and was processed by the BCC Meat Cutting, Deli, & Bakery lab.

According to Kevin Alexander, vice president of the Greater Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry, the donation will help about 147 families within the next week, with each taking one pack per family. “With the USDA cutting back, we don’t get meat very often. It’s going to be a good thing. People will flock to it and we will be busy,” said Alexander. 

Cameron called the donation “awesome” while reflecting on the process of raising his hog to now feeding those in need. “It's good to think that something I raised from when it was little will support people from all over the county,” he said. Cameron hopes to work in the electrical field as a utility lineworker or electrician upon graduation in the spring. He is a nine-year member of the Boots & Chutes 4-H club.

The remaining $165 was donated to the TUFF Bags program of Tuscarawas County. Director Lisa Walker explained that the money will help feed one child for an entire year and a second child for nearly six months. “One of the best things about Tuscarawas County is the sense of community. Anytime the community comes together to support kids in multiple ways is a great thing,” she said.

Buckeye Career Center staff began contributing to this year’s hog purchase in September. The initiative, led by superintendent’s secretary Mrs. Sherry Cardani, included donations from teachers, instructors, support staff, administrators, and others. This marks the 16th consecutive year BCC staff have purchased a fair hog from a student, donating the processed meat to a local food pantry. Over the years, staff have raised a total of $21,969.50 to support the effort.

Photo: 2026 BCC Hog Donation: Cardani, Alexander, Walker, Cameron, and Superintendent Bob Alsept.