Last year, student organization Each One Reach One (EORO), through the Frederick Douglass Institute, held three pop-up food pantry events that served more than 200 students. Monday, the food pantry overcame one of its biggest obstacles and found a permanent residence in Suites on Pratt G-12.
The idea of a food pantry formulated about three years ago when IUP started looking into food insecurity on campus.
Last year, then-senior Daniece Wade (management) led the efforts after she attended the 2019 Net Impact Conference in Phoenix, which was a gathering of leaders to discuss ways to “tackle our toughest social and environmental problems,” according to the conference website.
Wade went with the intent of discovering ways to help establish the food pantry at IUP, and she came back with ideas and energy to get the ball moving on the project.
EORO oversees the food pantry and helps to staff it. The purpose of this organization was to help address food security and lack of nutritious foods on campus, Wade said. Part of the funding for the pantry comes from the Philanthropy Council’s Help A Hawk initiative to assure that the pantry will be sustainable for years to come.
IUP students and staff can help by donating non-perishable food items, umbrellas and school supplies. The best time to drop off items is during the hours of operation, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Another big help is donating time.
“One major way students can help is by volunteering,” Wade said. “We are always looking for students who are willing to help staff and stock the pantry.”
Students interested in taking advantage of the food pantry need only their I-Cards for access. From there, workers will swipe them in, and the students are welcome to whatever they need.
“We tried to use a system that was useful for everyone,” Wade said.
