How Our Campus Food Pantry is Tackling Food Insecurity: A Closer Look at Community Support – The Parthenon

The Marshall Food Pantry is a vital resource for students and community members facing food insecurity. Eva Rhodes, a graduate student and director of the pantry, highlights its importance. “We invite students to visit once a week and community members once a month,” she explains. The pantry offers a diverse selection of food, including canned goods, pasta, rice, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

While the pantry has fresh produce and some dairy options, Rhodes notes that meats and eggs are harder to come by lately. “We’re committed to providing nutritious food at no cost,” she emphasizes, adding that most of their products come from the Facing Hunger Food Bank.

The pantry welcomes donations of all kinds, from shelf-stable items to personal hygiene products. “Anything helps,” Rhodes says. Items like canned soups, ramen, and oats are especially appreciated, as they aren’t always in stock.

Collaboration is key for the pantry. It works with the College of Health Professions and many student organizations, including sororities and fraternities. When volunteer numbers run low, they get assistance from community groups like Recovery Point and the reGen Grab and Go.

Rhodes shares some staggering statistics: at the end of last semester, the pantry served around 250 families, totaling about 1,000 individuals. “That’s the highest we’ve ever reached,” she states, revealing how food insecurity is increasingly affecting students. Managing college life while worrying about food can be overwhelming, she acknowledges.

Rhodes also addresses the stigma associated with using the pantry. “I want to reassure everyone that it’s okay to use our services,” she says. She aims to create a welcoming environment where food is provided without judgment. Many students fear they don’t deserve assistance, but Rhodes assures them: “We have enough for everyone.”

As for operating hours, the pantry is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. If you feel inspired to help, the pantry is always looking for donations. You can reach them at 304-696-2276 or via email at [email protected]. To explore how food insecurity impacts college students, you might find reports from organizations like the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice insightful.

Food pantries like Marshall’s demonstrate the growing need for community support in times of uncertainty. Let’s keep the conversation about food access and the importance of helping one another alive.



Source link