SRU-based food pantry hosting drive to stock shelves and support students
There will be a food drive to stock supplies at Bob’s Cupboard, the student food pantry at Slippery Rock University, now through Feb. 5.
Jan. 27, 2021
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — While many students see the beginning of a semester as a fresh start, some issues can continue to linger and affect daily life. One such problem is that of food insecurity. With that in mind, the Slippery Rock Student Government Association, in association with the Macoskey Center and the Office for Community-Engaged Learning, is hosting a food drive to help stock the shelves of the campus food pantry, Bob's Cupboard, now through Feb. 5.
Bob's Cupboard was established in 2018 after an SRSGA student survey found that nearly 40% of SRU students had experienced either not knowing when they would have access to food or were aware of fellow students who had been insecure about accessing food. The national average for university students experiencing food insecurity at some point during their collegiate career is 50%.
Additionally, most college students are unable to gain assistance from community food banks as student loans are often counted as income despite the money being allocated for tuition.
The Macoskey Center was selected by SRSGA's Student Affairs Committee as the location for the pantry because it is a lower-traffic area and thereby helps to eliminate possible stress and embarrassment that students who need to visit the pantry might feel.
"We are hoping that the food drive will help to get the overall community involved so that we can provide continued support to our students," said Leif Lindgren, SRSGA's vice president of student academic affairs and a junior safety management major from Allison Park.
Those wishing to take part are asked to donate healthy, nonperishable foods, toiletries and/or cleaning supplies. Items with longer expiration dates and that are in smaller packages or individually packaged are particularly encouraged. Donations of foods that are high in sugar content, expired, damaged, unlabeled or home-canned will not be accepted.
A full list of suggested items can be found on the Bob's Cupboard Facebook page.
"Students who currently use the service have provided suggestions for certain items that are valuable to them so we made sure to include them," said Lindgren.
Donations can be dropped off at marked bins in the lobbies of the Macoskey Center, Bailey Library, Smith Student Center, and all residence halls.
"We are hoping that the food drive will not only provide continued support for our students, but also spread awareness of the food pantry so that other vulnerable students who might not have heard of it know that they do have somewhere to turn (for help)," said Lindgren.
Additional questions about the food drive or Bob's Cupboard can be directed to bobscupboard@sru.edu.
MEDIA CONTACT: Lesa Bressanelli | 724.738.2091 | lnb1009@sru.edu