Students Need At Least One Meal Daily

This is the season of a fresh new beginning, and many college students living at the poverty level need at least one meal daily. The MTSU Student Food Pantry is in critical need of supplies to ensure that every student receives that minimal amount.

The pantry is located in the University College Advising Center of the McFarland Building. It’s a partnership between the University College Advising Center and the Student Government Association and has served almost 200 students since its inception in October 2012.

“That number continues to grow as students are made aware of the pantry,” said Becca Seul, adviser at the University College Advising Center and manager of the MTSU Food Pantry. “Summer is getting closer, which typically means more students in need on campus.”

Help Comes In Spurts

Although the initial drive just before the holiday season produced a generous response, help is needed to sustain students throughout the rest of the spring term and into the summer.

“We have lots of canned goods, but are missing most of the stuff that the students tend to take the most,” Seul said.

Seul is encouraging campus classes and organizations to consider food drives this semester as a way of boosting supplies.

What Is Needed

While all nonperishable groceries are accepted — a complete list is located on the food pantry website: www.mtsu.edu/foodpantry — there are specific items that the pantry is in need of immediately:

Food items of popcorn, granola bars, crackers, Jell-O or gelatin desserts, pudding cups, snack packs, fruit cups, canned meats and shelf-stable milk.

Also needed are individual beverages: canned, boxed and bottled juices; bottled water and other drinks.

Everything donated in bulk is separated into individual portions so as many people can benefit as possible.

As more students in need of assistance are made aware of the pantry, the demand for supplies has grown.

“Any active, currently enrolled student can come and access the food pantry,” said Seul. “They don’t have to be referred to us."

However, Seul emphasizes that the pantry is not a grocery store, but instead is a place where a student who is struggling with hunger can find a meal.

Donations can be made directly to the pantry, which is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.