NATCHITOCHES – Super 1 Foods of Natchitoches provided a $200 gift card to support Northwestern State University’s Food Pantry, a continuation of the grocery store’s Compassion in Action partnership with NSU. The store also donates a monthly $100 gift card to support The Pantry, which is open to all NSU and BPCC@NSU students free of charge.

The Compassion in Action campaign ran in all Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods, Spring Market, FRESH by Brookshire’s and Reasor’s locations. Organizations selected focus on health, hunger relief, education, veteran services and the wellbeing of children and their families. Super 1’s corporate donations process includes 501c organizations that support local community events in areas where a store is located.

So far this semester, 150 students have utilized the Food Pantry, which provides non-perishable food items, toiletries, cleaning supplies, kitchen tools, cutlery, sanitizer, personal hygiene products and other items. The Pantry is staffed by more than 50 student, faculty and staff volunteers who are trained on the importance of courtesy and confidentiality.

The Pantry was created in 2015 as a class project for social work students who discovered a need to combat food insecurity on campus.  The Pantry is located on the south side of Trisler Power Plant across from Magale Recital Hall on NSU’s Central Avenue and is set up like a convenience store that is clean, organized and welcoming. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-noon Friday.

Donations to the Food Pantry are welcome.  Monetary donations are also accepted through the NSU Foundation.  Donors can visit www.northwesternstatealumni.com and support the NSU Food Pantry in the Make A Gift section and specifying the NSU Food Pantry.