Stocking Students' Shelves with Food

The Student Support Foundation is a student-led organization that helps students attain food who would otherwise be struggling financially to afford it. According to the Student Support Foundation, their mission is, "Keeping students in school through short term emergency assistance and long term student support, as well as creating a culture of philanthropy on our campus."

"I think it's great! It's nice to have some place to go when you can't afford food," said senior Jakki Savage.

The food pantry was started in August 2005. It is located on Highland Street in the back end of Bagley House and is open in the spring and fall semesters. Only undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Plymouth State University are eligible for support.

"Just come in! We are friendly, helpful, confidential and we don't judge because why should we? I think everyone can relate to needing some help at one point or another so when you think of it that way the hesitation should diminish. Don't hesitate to utilize the pantry because it is such a great resource and it was created to help students!" said Travers.

 Students who are looking to start going to the pantry should bring their School ID and Enrollment Verification (which can be printed from the MyPlymouth website). All visits made to the Food Pantry are kept confidential. Volunteers will provide students with the list of how much food they can take that day.

"I enjoy volunteering for the Student Support Foundation Food Pantry because I like knowing that I am a part of something greater than myself, something that students need," said Volunteer Kristin Travers.

Students are allowed to visit the pantry twice a month, four times during the semester. "The food pantry is only open to PSU students, undergraduate and graduate, who have little to no money for food and who bring in what is called an Enrollment Verification form to prove that they do in fact study here at PSU," said Travers.

When students first arrive to the pantry they should bring in an Enrollment Verification form. "They should also fill out a financial literacy survey to show us if they have a job and if they are looking for one and lastly, they would fill out an identification card which just asks the student's demographics such as their name, birthdate, where they live etc," said Travers.

Each visit afterwards, the student would only have to show their student ID. The volunteer(s) would then give them a distribution list of allotted food items and select the items for them, while still letting them choose their preferences. "Students may use the pantry up to four times a semester and only two times in a calendar month," said Travers.

Food is donated to the foundation by local organizations, students and PSU itself. Foods include a number of canned fruits, vegetables, soups, and beans, as well as pasta and rice. Cereal, milk, eggs, bread and different meats like chicken and beef are also available. Toiletries and other supplies are offered on top of food.

Regular hours are Mondays from 2-5:30pm, Tuesdays from 9am to noon, and Fridays from 1:30 to 5:30pm.

 "Anyone can donate to the food pantry. There are donation boxes around campus in buildings such as Speare and Mary Lyon. Donations can also be dropped off at the food pantry in the Bagley House or in the Administration Office with Linda Corriveau," said Travers.