NATCHITOCHES – Auxiliary Services at Northwestern State University, Sodexo Campus Dining and The Pantry, the campus food pantry, hosted a “stock the freezer” event March 14. The freezer and meals were purchased through a $1,200 grant from Swipe Out Hunger and LG Electronics. Swipe Out Hunger is a nonprofit organization that partners with colleges and universities to provide food and resources to students in need.
Auxiliary Services acts as campus liaison for Swipe Out Hunger, which awards free meal swipes to qualifying students.
“As part of the grant, $500 was required to go toward the purchase of a cold storage unit and the remaining $700 used to stock the unit,” said Lindsey Vascocu, assistant director of Auxiliary Services. After discussing current student needs and wants with Dean of Students Reatha Cox, Auxiliary Services elected to purchase a freezer and frozen goods for students who utilize the food pantry.
“We have partnered with Sodexo, who is also a pivotal partner in our NSU Swipe Out Hunger Program, to purchase single-serve frozen meals to stock the freezer and bring this amazing new component to our NSU Food Pantry,” Vascocu said.
“This gives students more options on what they have access to,” said Gracie Jeane, a student volunteer. “A lot of times, they just have dry items like oatmeal packets and grits. Having more variety will definitely draw more students to The Pantry to utilize our resources.”
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to create more variety and a wonderful collaboration,” Cox said. “We’re grateful and thankful for everyone who supports our students.”
The Pantry is open to all NSU and BPCC@NSU students free of charge offering non-perishable food items, toiletries, cleaning supplies, kitchen tools, cutlery, sanitizer, personal hygiene products and other items.
NSU was one of the first universities in the state to create a food pantry. Today, most universities support some type of food bank. NSU partners with student organizations and philanthropies outside the university to maintain inventory while volunteers, who are trained on the importance of courtesy and confidentiality, ensure The Pantry is clean, organized and welcoming. The Pantry is located on the south side of Trisler Power Plant across from Magale Recital Hall on NSU’s Central Avenue. 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.
