Northwest opens Pay It Forward Food Pantry | Local News ... - News-Press Now

Northwest opens Pay It Forward Food Pantry | Local News ... - News-Press Now

Employees and students at Northwest Missouri State University, who are facing financial challenges, can now use a new, free resource on campus.

The Pay It Forward Food Pantry inside the Material Distribution Center adjacent to the University Police Department did a soft opening Sept. 19.

The pantry offers a variety of nonperishable food items and personal hygiene products such as soap, shampoo, toilet tissue, feminine products and toothpaste.

The only requirement is that shoppers show their Bearcat Card, and they are allowed to fill two plastic shopping bags with all the supplies they need.

Edward Gibson IV, a coordinator at the Office of Diversity and Inclusion who also is on the Food Pantry committee, said shoppers stay anonymous because they record their student id number, not their name.

“It’s not who we are giving to, it’s the amount we are able to supply, and we want to supply as much food to individuals as we can,” he said. “Our goal is really to make sure everybody is supported. We want to make sure we are not tallying off how many people we are supporting because when you start counting numbers that is when things become in-genuine.”

The Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance at Northwest has received multiple reports from students who are struggling to make ends meet, and Gibson thinks the pantry will help solve the problem.

“When you are hungry, it’s hard to focus on tests, so the food pantry is really here to give a sense of comfort to students,” he said. “It’s really here to help them be successful on campus, so they know that they don’t have to fear where their next meal is coming from. That there is actually somebody here who cares for them. That is what the food pantry is all about.”

To prepare for their grand opening Oct. 24, Gibson said the food pantry is hosting a friendly competition for the best logo design.

“I feel like a good brand will really invite the students in,” he said. “The competition will jog a lot of creative thinkers and it will probably help us out in the long run, also with publicity amongst the students as well.”

The food pantry accepts food donations at the University Police Department or at the Engagement Center inside J.W. Jones Student Union. Monetary donations to support the food pantry should be directed to the Northwest Foundation and are tax deductible.

“Everybody should want to help somebody else because everybody does need help at one point in time in their life,” Gibson said.