Campus food pantry expands to serve more students

A campus initiative that started in 2009 in response to students who were struggling with food access has expanded to a new space. 

The Student Food Pantry, now called ReSTORE, has moved from the Women’s Center to room 0074 of the Kirkhof Center. It is open to all students. 

While the space has expanded from a large cabinet to a large room, the mission is the same: to provide support for students who are struggling to find money to buy food. 

Sharalle Arnold, associate director of the Women’s Center, said use of the space increases every year.

“We hope to restore students for academic success because food insecurity can have a negative impact on academic performance,” said Arnold. 

ReSTORE is open Monday-Thursday, 1-6 p.m., and Friday, 2-4 p.m.

Students Susana Villagomez and Rachael DeWitt started the Student Food Pantry in 2009. Villagomez proposed the idea after hearing from fellow classmates about their struggles with having enough money to buy food. Since the pantry opened its doors, there have been more than 1,000 visits.

ReSTORE and the Women’s Center will host its annual campus-wide food drive October 19-23 to stock the space. 

Arnold said most-needed items include gluten-free products, personal care items and perishables for the newly added refrigerator. Students, faculty and staff members can drop off items at the Women’s Center or ReSTORE.

For more information, contact Sharalle Arnold at (616) 331-2748.