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As the leaves turn red and the weather grows cold, people look forward to the holidays — gathering around tables for festive meals with family and friends.  

A Growing Need at the Holidays

But not every table will be full this year. As food prices rise, food banks are struggling to provide healthy protein options to address community hunger, and one Cedarville University student is rallying fellow hunters to help. 

Launching The One Arrow Mission

Ben Heady, a senior from Arlington, Indiana, studying  and music, launched The One Arrow Mission, an initiative to supply 1,500 pounds of venison to the food bank serving Jamestown and Cedarville.

To process the venison, The One Arrow Mission is partnering with  (FHFH), a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects hunters and processors with local food centers. Together, they are raising donations to cover the processing cost of $150 per deer — that’s high-quality meat at less than $1 per meal.  

Heady had already been mulling over a plan to use his hunting skills for good; when he was assigned a project in Cedarville’s applied leadership course, he decided it was time to make his plan a reality.   

“I've been a passionate hunter and outdoorsman since I could walk,” said Heady. “And this was the perfect opportunity.” 

Discovering the Need Firsthand

After making cold calls to food banks to evaluate their needs, he visited one serving Cedarville and Jamestown. What he found astonished him. 

“We went to this huge, cavernous protein freezer,” said Heady, “There were only a handful of sausage links. That's it.” 

When he began formulating plans for The One Arrow Mission, he envisioned a small operation. But the project quickly grew beyond his expectations. 

“When this project started, it was going to be me and a couple of my buddies,” Heady said. “And then God brought in donors, funding and 113 acres of huntable land for us, and the project just exploded.” 

A Call for Hunters to Help

They still have a long way to go. To reach their goal of 40 deer, they need more hunters, landowners and donors. Heady hopes The One Arrow Mission can be a multi-generational effort, motivating older hunters to take their children and grandchildren into the field. 

As he raises awareness, Heady finds himself using much of what he’s learned in his Cedarville courses, especially when it comes to the logistics of organizing people and events around a single mission. 

“It's been invaluable to be a business student at Cedarville,” said Heady. “The Cedarville business school has helped me hone the skills that I’m applying now.” 

Heady expressed gratitude for all the Cedarville faculty and staff who have supported him during the process — from refining his mission to creating marketing content. 

“The faculty and staff at the university wanted to help,” said Heady. 

As the holidays approach, Heady hopes his project reminds others of the families facing empty tables — and inspires them to use their own talents and resources to serve their communities. 

About Cedarville University

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields.  With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at .