Tweet

Grand View University’s food pantry cabinet resulted from a viral Facebook post from Arkansas, according to Student Involvement and New Student Programs Director Heidi Pries. Pries said she came across the post on her social media feed, where a woman had started food pantry boxes/cabinets in her community.

Not every student knows when his or her next meal will be and have no food at home. But with the help of an AmeriCorps student looking for a new project, the idea for outdoor food pantry cabinets took off.

“Students are free to drop food either at the food pantry or at the Student Life offices,” AmeriCorps Intern Trisha Griffin said.

The food pantry cabinet is located outside of Luther Memorial.

Currently, ten individuals are involved with the pantry. People who want to help out can stop by the Viking House, where the larger food pantry is located.

According to Griffin, the food pantry leaders are looking to set scheduled shifts to watch over the pantry so students can visit after hours and the campus and community are able to access the pantry when needed.

Imperishable food are best for the pantry, and as the colder weather comes liquids have the potential of freezing.

“We spent about less than $30 and filled quite a bit, but any amount is helpful.” Pries said.

For the future there could be more food pantry cabinets around campus and possibly inside buildings or different stores in the community along with adding signage to the current project.

“We just wanted to make an impact and connect the Grand View Campus and the community around us,” Griffin said. “We’re hoping to see that it’s sustainable within the Viking House, we just want to meet the needs that are in our community.”