Some college students nationwide are forced to choose between paying for a class or groceries. That's why 650 universities across the U. S. are setting up student food pantries. There's at least three in Omaha and students said it’s changing lives.Creighton opened its pantry to help students get their mind off money and onto their classwork. Everything is paid for through donations or a collaboration with the dining hall, so students are full and ready to study.“Each customer is able to take up to seven meals a week so they have several different items they can choose from,” Alexandra Van Cleave, a Creighton sophomore, said.They also get basic hygiene products, snacks and one swipe at the dining hall for a meal. Van Cleave works in the pantry and said it started to help students struggling financially. “If you’re unsure of where your next meal is coming from, or it causes you anxiety, or you may not have enough financial resources, or there may have been some event in your life that you're trying to find your next meal, then you can sign up for your services,” Van Cleave said.Students can grab what they need for them and their family without having to worry about the cost. The pantry has hours posted online.At the College of Saint Mary across town, there are a couple pantry options.“Students can order online and they can order up to two bags of food each week,” Dr. Tara Knudson Carl said.CSM partners with the University of Nebraska at Omaha pantry for that grocery delivery.Staff said that allows students to focus on their schoolwork, not their budget. Especially, since many students are single parents, Knudson Carl said.“We did a survey in 2017 and 41% of our students indicated they'd experienced food insecurity in the last month. That’s higher than the national average, so the response to our food pantry has been extremely positive,” Knudson Carl said.CSM also just rolled out a new food option just like you'd get at home: leftovers.They're meals from the dining hall that don't go to waste. "The first week we packaged about 130 extra meals and there were only about 19 left (at the end of the week),” Knudson Carl said.Metro Community College and Iowa Western Community College are also working on rolling out pantry programs MCC said it hopes to have one open by December.You can donate to any of the programs by giving online on the school websites, or in person at Creighton, inside the McGloin Hall.
Some college students nationwide are forced to choose between paying for a class or groceries. That's why 650 universities across the U. S. are setting up student food pantries. There's at least three in Omaha and students said it’s changing lives.
Creighton opened its pantry to help students get their mind off money and onto their classwork. Everything is paid for through donations or a collaboration with the dining hall, so students are full and ready to study.
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“Each customer is able to take up to seven meals a week so they have several different items they can choose from,” Alexandra Van Cleave, a Creighton sophomore, said.
They also get basic hygiene products, snacks and one swipe at the dining hall for a meal.
Van Cleave works in the pantry and said it started to help students struggling financially.
“If you’re unsure of where your next meal is coming from, or it causes you anxiety, or you may not have enough financial resources, or there may have been some event in your life that you're trying to find your next meal, then you can sign up for your services,” Van Cleave said.
Students can grab what they need for them and their family without having to worry about the cost. The pantry has hours posted online.
At the College of Saint Mary across town, there are a couple pantry options.
“Students can order online and they can order up to two bags of food each week,” Dr. Tara Knudson Carl said.
CSM partners with the University of Nebraska at Omaha pantry for that grocery delivery.
Staff said that allows students to focus on their schoolwork, not their budget. Especially, since many students are single parents, Knudson Carl said.
“We did a survey in 2017 and 41% of our students indicated they'd experienced food insecurity in the last month. That’s higher than the national average, so the response to our food pantry has been extremely positive,” Knudson Carl said.
CSM also just rolled out a new food option just like you'd get at home: leftovers.
They're meals from the dining hall that don't go to waste.
"The first week we packaged about 130 extra meals and there were only about 19 left (at the end of the week),” Knudson Carl said.
Metro Community College and Iowa Western Community College are also working on rolling out pantry programs MCC said it hopes to have one open by December.
You can donate to any of the programs by giving online on the school websites, or in person at Creighton, inside the McGloin Hall.
