On Oct. 24, at the steps outside of the Oakland Center, Oakland University’s Japan Club held an Onigiri Action event.
The Japan Club offered various fillings for onigiri tastings which were made fresh. Traditionally, the rice balls hold fillings of tuna fish, salmon flakes or cod, all meant to render the light snack more nutritional.
Onigiri is a traditional Japanese rice ball dish that dates back to the Heian Period. Once called “Ton-jiki,” the world-famous dish was a token of appreciation during celebrations. They usually include seaweed and are now known for being a go-to snack when visiting convenience stores in Japan. Other countries have similar counterparts, such as the Korean Samgak kimbap, or the Chinese Bak Chang/Zhang.
While some members were taking their time to properly shape the ice balls, 0thers were explaining what the event was and its mission to follow a social good action that occurs every fall, called Onigiri Action.
“Onigiri Action is a part of the UN, that for every picture that you take of people making onigiri or eating onigiri, they give five meals to students, or usually children in need,” Jacob Packard, Japan Club president, said.
Onigiri Action began in 2015 at the hands of Table for 2 USA and has since provided 10.17 million school meals. Club members were present to take pictures of all attendees with onigiri in hand to support the annual cause.
This year, the campaign runs from Oct. 3 to Nov. 16, and for every post with the tag of #OnigiriAction or their global campaign site, five meals will be donated and delivered to children in need.
“It was very fun; I love the event,” OU student Whitley Kinnard said after having just finished her onigiri. “It was a super fun way to make a Wednesday more interesting and it was absolutely delicious, and I like that it went to a good cause.”
The event on campus lasted for three hours and many were able to taste one of Japan’s most famous fast foods. “We’re trying to not only bring awareness of Asian and Japanese culture but [also] trying to give to kids that are in need,” Packard said.
Last year, the club gave out nearly 200 onigiri pieces on campus. This year, they planned on surpassing that number with bacon, tuna, salt and vegan options.
Also participating in the campaign, the Student Program Board (SPB) will host an Onigiri Action event on Oct. 29 at the OC’s Gold Rooms from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuna, chicken and tofu will make another appearance as the main ingredients in the do-it-yourself event.
To help global initiatives like Onigiri Action, visit the United Nations Food website.
For more meetings and events by the Japan Club at OU, check out their Instagram page. For more information on Table for 2 USA, and the various programs that they have for improving global food imbalance, visit their website.
