Today@Sam Article

Food Pantry Works To Satisfy Bearkat Stomachs

Oct. 1, 2015
SHSU Media Contact: Dawine Bergeron

Food pantry group
Bearkats serving Bearkats: The SHSU Food Pantry was established last year to address the issue of food insecurity among students who may not have extra resources or means to purchase food for themselves. The service provides food to an average of 30-40 students each distribution day. Pictured above are committee member Candice Hanner, volunteer Dawine Bergeron, vice president Erica Amaya, and student Xavier Hernandez. —Photos by Brian Blalock

Many students worry about gaining weight when they come to college; however, a greater number worry about how and if they will eat the next day.

Feeding America’s 2014 Hunger in America report states that approximately 10 percent of its 46.5 million adult clients are students, including 2 million people who are attending school full time.  

I began working, and later volunteering, at the food pantry last fall, my first semester at Sam Houston State University.  

When first approached by my boss to work at the food pantry to pick up extra hours, I didn’t think much of it; it was just an opportunity to earn extra money, as well as volunteer hours, when I wasn’t on the clock.

However, my time at the food pantry really opened up my eyes and allowed me to see past the bubble that most college students live in.  

Because I was a freshman and was required to have a meal plan, I had not yet experienced food insecurity as a college student. The thought of college students not having enough to eat or no food at all did not cross my mind until I began volunteering at the food pantry.

As a volunteer, I did a bit of everything. My favorite task was assembling the packages. Other tasks included separating the food in the storage area by food type, verifying student identities, and handing out packages.

The idea of an on-campus food pantry program was conceived by computer science major Amber Spell and Bernice Strauss, former director of academic support programs for the Student Advising and Mentoring Center.

Processing the Pantry

collected food
sorted food
distributing food
The pantry operates through food donations that are collected (top), sorted (middle) and then distributed periodically throughout the semester. Students interested in receiving food should register through MySam, under the "Students" channel. In order to have donations sorted and ready for distribution day, the SHSU Food Pantry requires students to sign up at least one day before distributions. To find out more, email foodpantry@shsu.edu.

“During her time at Sam Houston, Dr. Strauss interacted with several students who were not able to pay for basic groceries, which affected their academic performance and quality of life," said Candice Hanner, SHSU Food Pantry planning committee member. "The students who had the idea wanted to do something positive for their peers.”

The goal of the program was not only to provide students with food and to alleviate some of their hunger, but also to create an awareness of food insecurity across campus.

After its first year, those involved feel it has accomplished just that.

“The first year was extremely successful," Hanner said. "We served an average of 40 individuals during each distribution and we have had enough food to be able to open for each of our scheduled distribution dates. We’ve also engaged the campus community and have gotten support from local business and organizations, as well.”

“The food pantry truly embodies the SHSU motto that ‘The measure of a Life is its Service,’” said Trent Hale, former president of the food pantry. “A surface level understanding of ‘service’ can mean that we simply volunteer a little of our time here and there to a charity, which is perfectly commendable; however, a deeper embodiment of service is putting the welfare of the entire community as the highest priority.

“That is what everyone who helped with the food pantry accomplished—by first, recognizing the problem; second, listening to one another’s experiences, needs and struggles; and finally, committing themselves to supporting one another so that no one is pushed into the margins,” he said.

The mission of the food pantry comes from a deep understanding and concern for students. It recognizes the humanity of the students on this campus and validates their needs as real people who may encounter real obstacles, according to Hanner.

“Service experiences with the food pantry have a level of depth that is truly unique in that it challenges us to think about our place in student success and to be conscious about the diverse experiences of those around us. This depth is just one thing that sets the SHSU Food Pantry apart from other organizations,” Hanner said.

Any student who experiences food insecurity is eligible to sign up for access to the SHSU Food Pantry. Distribution dates for the fall have been scheduled and are available through the SHSU Food Pantry’s Facebook page.

“Our first distribution (on Sept. 2) went great," said food pantry vice president Erica Amaya. "We had around 30 students who showed up. Many of them were returning students from the past semesters, but we did get to meet new faces."

To sign up for the food pantry, students log onto their MySam account and click on the “Students” tab, where a link will be available to register to receive items at the next distribution date. Students should register at least one day before the distribution date in order for packages to be ready for pick up. The SHSU Food Pantry is located at the Canterbury House, at 1614 University Ave., which is also home of the Episcopal Student Center. 

“When a student who has signed up to receive food comes to pick up on the distribution date, all we will need to confirm is their Sam ID. We will also have extra packages available for students in need of food who may not have been able to sign up prior to the distribution date,” Hanner said.

The main source of food for the food pantry is through donations, which can be dropped off at several locations around campus, including the Student Health and Counseling Center; the SAM Center, in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Room 170; the Financial Aid Office, in Estill Building Room 201; the First-Year Experience Office, in Academic Building IV Room 202; the Center for Leadership and Service, in Lowman Student Center Room 342; the Newton Gresham Library; and the Office of the Dean of the College of Sciences, in the Lee Drain Building.

After a year of volunteering and working at the food pantry, I am glad I decided to take this opportunity. It was amazing to see the student response as the year went on and as word got out about the program.

I am very grateful that I got to be a part of, and will continue to be a part of through volunteering, something that I believe is monumental and much needed.

For more information about the Food Pantry or volunteer opportunities, contact Hanner at 936.294.2231.

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