STCU Supports Eastern Oregon University with $7,500 Donation
LA GRANDE, Ore. — Eastern Oregon University has received a significant boost with a $7,500 donation from Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU). This funding will enhance the university’s food pantries and programs that help students in need.
Pam Frederick Williams, who manages EOU’s Benefits Navigator Program, expressed her gratitude for the unexpected donation. “I was eager to finalize our budget for the pantries, worried we’d fall short for our students,” she shared. “Then, I got a call from Michelle at STCU. I thought they were going to donate food, so you can imagine my shock when I learned it was a cash donation!”
Michelle’s visit came with a big surprise—a check for $7,500. “I was overwhelmed. This will make a huge difference for our students,” Williams said, emphasizing the donation’s importance during a critical time.
Williams, who graduated during the COVID-19 pandemic, understands the struggles many students face. “Back when I started in 2016, we didn’t have food pantries on campus. I often skipped meals due to financial struggles,” she recalled. Today, the situation is changing, but many still feel the weight of tuition bills against their need for food.
Recent statistics highlight this issue. A 2022 survey by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice found that 39% of college students experience food insecurity. This statistic underscores the vital role that food pantries play in academic success.
Williams believes reliable access to nutritious food helps ease financial pressure and supports mental well-being. “When students don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, they can focus on their studies and succeed in their education,” she said.
Her commitment to enhancing student success led her to return to EOU in a support role. “I wanted to help students the way I wished I had been supported,” Williams explained.
Thanks to STCU’s generous donation, EOU’s food pantries will be better stocked, allowing for various outreach events and greater food availability on campus. This essential support aims to ensure no student has to balance education with hunger.
To learn more about EOU’s food pantry services or the Benefits Navigator Program, check out their official page here.
