In 2010, on the heels of forced pay cuts and furloughs to state workers, a holiday food drive was held to support members of the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ community. It was then that the idea for a permanent food pantry was born.
Today, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ students, faculty, and staff who find themselves in need of food for the week can use the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Food Pantry, located off University Center Drive, behind the Campus Services Building.
The shelves of the pantry are lined with produce, canned vegetables, instant meals, meats, and bread. The pantry receives over 30,000 pounds of food each year through donations, food rescue and campus food drives.
But the pantry doesn't just provide food; it also provides support and relief to some of the university's most vulnerable students, according to Keith Rogers, vice president for 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ's Division of Student Affairs.
"Unfortunately, we have an increasing trend in students, faculty, and staff who identify as 'food insecure,' so we want to make sure our campus community takes advantage of services to not only help them complete their higher-education journey, but assist their families, too," Rogers said.
As of July 1, operations of the food pantry will be overseen by Student Affairs and the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ School of Public Health.
About the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Food Pantry
- Founded in 2010
- Collected over 30,000 pounds of food donations last year
- Served 4,409 patrons, representing 12,867 family members last year
Shawn Gerstenberger, dean of the School of Public Health, said the school was excited to partner with Student Affairs to address food insecurity on campus.
"It is difficult to learn or work when you are hungry. Addressing food insecurity and hunger is public health in action," Gerstenberger said. "With the generous support of our community partners, we are committed to meeting the current and future needs of our 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ family."
Any member of the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ community can show their Rebel card to shop at the pantry. Each item has a limit on how many each shopper can take, and the size of the family they're shopping for is also taken into account.The pantry had 4,409 users last year and sees roughly 750 to 1,000 people a month, representing 12,867 family members, according to Carmen Johnson, the food pantry coordinator.
"It's inspiring to see these groups come together with a shared commitment to better serve the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ community," Johnson said. "This collaboration has so much potential to expand access, promote wellness, and make a meaningful impact in the lives of 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ students, staff, and faculty."
