Student Food Pantry to open at Grand Valley

When the Student Food Pantry at Grand Valley State University opens for distribution on Monday, April 6, organizers are not sure what to expect. But they’re prepared to help.

The food pantry started when student Susana Villagomez heard from more and more fellow classmates about their struggles with having enough money to buy food. Villagomez, a junior, took her concerns to Women's Center Director Marlene Kowalski-Braun.

“Then Marlene and I met with more and more people on campus who wanted to help and we were able to get started,” said Villagomez, a pre-clinical laboratory major from Grand Rapids.

The Women's Center sent flyers around campus asking for donations of non-perishable food, paper products and toiletries. They are storing items in their office suite in the Kirkhof Center on the Allendale Campus, and that is where food distribution will be held.

Rachael DeWitt, a graduate student intern in the Women’s Center, said while food distribution is a short-term solution, staff members at the center were trained to assist students to help them find other resources, if necessary.

“We can help them with long-term needs, and direct them to the right agencies if they need help,” DeWitt said.

The Grand Valley Student Food Pantry is modeled after the student food bank at Michigan State University, which was established in 1993.

DeWitt said students who wish to use the food pantry will be asked to fill out some paperwork, but organizers mostly plan to use the honor system. “This just shows how the campus community has recognized that in this economy, students can be struggling,” she said.

Many campus departments have lent support. An example is the University Bookstore, which donated recyclable bags. “It doesn’t look like a grocery bag, so no one would have to feel intimidated about taking out a bag of food,” Villagomez said.

There is also a drop-off location at the DeVos Center, room 101B, on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Questions can be directed to the Women’s Center at (616) 331-2748, or visit the Web site www.gvsu.edu/women_cen .

Food Pantry partners are Advising Resources and Special Programs, Campus Dining, Community Service Learning Center, Counseling and Career Development Center, Dean of Students, Educational Support Program, Financial Aid, Housing and Residence Life, Hunger and Homelessness Student Organizations, Office of Inclusion and Equity, Office of Multicultural Affairs, TRiO, and University Bookstore.