Knights Serve is the community service and engagement program launched by Middle Georgia State University Athletics in 2024. This year-round community focused programming pairs Middle Georgia State student-athletes with community organizations representing the entire Middle Georgia region while allowing Knights student-athletes the opportunity to give back through service and engagement.
Each community engagement or service opportunity is co-sponsored between the MGA Athletic Department and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
The two primary organizations selected for regular service during the 2025-26 academic year are:
Families and Schools Together (F.A.S.T.) (Bleckley County)
The MGA Athletic Department adopted the F.A.S.T. program as a community partner in 2024 with each of the six Cochran-campus based teams serving throughout the academic year. The F.A.S.T. program offers families the opportunity to spend quality time together and strengthen their family bond through dedicated programming and engagement. The MGA student-athlete and coach volunteers create games and fun activities for the school-age children while their parents take part in valuable learning opportunities to enhance their family dynamic.
Visit Here to Learn More about the Bleckley County chapter of the F.A.S.T. Program
Link to: https://www.facebook.com/p/Bleckley-County-Schools-FAST-Program-61580037234824/
Backpack Buddies (Macon-Bibb County)
The Backpack Buddies Ministry of Forest Hills Church is a community-based program that began in February of 2011. The mission of the Backpack Ministry is to provide children who are at risk for poor nutritional intake when not receiving school meals with supplemental, child-friendly food. This ministry began with nine students serving one school. In the years that have followed, the organization has grown to service over 3,000 children in multiple schools and three counties. This allows students to return to school more attentive to classroom studies rather than focusing on their hunger. As this partnership grows and matures, other needs will be identified for students and families, which we will attempt to meet on an individual basis.Â
MGA student-athletes and coaches at the Macon campus each work throughout both semesters with assisting the Backpack Buddies program by packing meals, organizing inventory and providing program support. This initiative has proven to be rewarding for each Knight who has taken time out to serve and give back to their community by assisting with food insecurities throughout the Middle Geogia region.
Visit Here to Learn More about the Backpack Buddies Ministry
Link to: https://www.facebook.com/p/Backpack-Buddies-Ministry-61567845221895/
Other Knights Serve initiatives and organizations that MGA teams have donated their time and efforts to include:
- Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia
- Habitat for Humanity
- Senior Home Living of Cochran
- BC’s Enrichment Kingdom
- Cochran Christmas Parade
- MGA Day of Service
