College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving does more than move families' junk out of their homes. The company is also helping put food on the table for families in need.
The business partnered with U.S. Hunger, formally known as Feeding Children Everywhere. For every client served, College HUNKS donates two meals to people facing food insecurity.
The company recently celebrated a milestone of 6 million meals donated since 2017. In 2022, the company was awarded the Community Hero Award by U.S. Hunger.
“6 million meals means 6 million moments of relief for families who may not know where their next meal is coming from. College HUNKS has consistently shown that corporate partnership can be both strategic and deeply compassionate. Together, we’re not just distributing food — we’re delivering stability and hope to families that need it most,” said Sarah Aranguibel-Dávila, chief of staff at U.S. Hungry
To mark the occasion, College HUNKS hosted a hands-on meal-packing event, where volunteers packed 5,000 meals for families in the Tampa Bay area. The meals will suppor t local hunger-relief partners, including Feeding Tampa Bay.
According to a report from Feeding Tampa Bay, more than 1 million people in the Tampa Bay area are facing food insecurity. One in four is a child.
President Roman Cowan said the company strives to be a purpose-driven brand.
“When we say move the world, we don’t mean moving people’s stuff physically, but we actually mean making a lasting, positive, emotional impact on people,” Cowan said.
Cowan said that when customers choose College HUNKS for moving, labor, or junk removal, the company thanks them by donating two healthy meals to families in need.
He said in 2016, the company wanted to partner with a nonprofit that focuses on helping children receive the proper nutrition they need.
“While I grew up very humbly in Jamaica, there were times I was challenged to secure a healthy meal,” Cowan said. As an adult I recognize the sacrifice that some adults, particularly my grandma at home, had to make to allow for their kids to eat on a consistent basis.”
In Jamaica, Cowan said he would see men, women and children struggle with food insecurity.
“We realized food insecurity doesn’t have an age limit. It was about every single person who cannot consistently access healthy meals, and that's what ultimately moved us forward in this partnership,” he said.
Cowan said that if this type of opportunity had been available during his childhood in Jamaica, he would have used resources like U.S. Hunger.
After reaching the milestone, Cowan said he believes the company is fulfilling its mission.
“Our purpose is to make a lasting positive impact on our communities,” he said.
The pride comes from more than just helping others. He said the company aims to be a role model and set an example of what a brand can do to make a difference.
“We are not doing it from a self-serving perspective. We are thinking about how another competitor or non-competitor can see what we’re doing and be inspired to do similar actions,” he said.
Cowan immigrated to Tampa 20 years ago and said he values the opportunities the city has provided. He said it has given him everything he could have hoped for, which is why he aims to host multiple hands-on meal-packing events across the region.
“We typically do them periodically in many of our markets. This puts emphasis and a stronger focus on the meals and the recipients themselves,” Cowan said. “When you just donate money, you sometimes don’t feel it, but when you’re sitting there and packing the meals, it's a bit more meaningful.”
Cowan said the company’s efforts extend beyond meal donations. He said that in October, the company provides free moves for victims and survivors of domestic violence. College HUNKS has also partnered with multiple Alzheimer’s associations and participates in several awareness campaigns throughout the year.
“Every October we wear pink for breast cancer awareness. Every single month of the year, we have some sort of platform that we’re highlighting– whether it's men’s health in November or Diversity in February,” Cowan said.
College HUNKS was founded in the summer of 2003, when Omar Soliman and Nick Fiedman were looking to earn extra money on summer break. What began as a two person operation in Washington, D.C., has grown to more than 200 locations across the United States and Canada, with its headquarters in Tampa. HUNKS stands for honest, uniformed, nice, knowledgeable and service.
