The LSU Food Pantry became operational at the start of the fall semester and is offering students various non-perishable goods while calling for donations to increase supplies.
Higher education grad student Mike Mosley Jr. began operating the pantry with the help of Jennie Stewart, assistant dean of students and associate director for Student Advocacy and Accountability. The services are located in room 333 of the Student Union and free for all University students.
Interested students are encouraged to show up anytime they are in need and are required to present a valid student ID in order to receive goods, Stewart said.
Students who want to donate should bring up to two grocery bags full of goods, but larger donations need to be coordinated with Mosley by emailing [email protected] or calling 578-9442, Stewart said. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and donations are tax deductible.
Preferred donations include canned or packaged tuna or chicken, canned soups, pasta, peanut butter, rice or dried beans.
The LSU Food Pantry aims to help ease instances where students are unable to afford certain commodities because of financial struggles, which has been an issue for some time, Stewart said.
“There was a need on campus,” Mosley said. “We are filling a void.”
Stewart agreed the LSU Food Pantry is filling a gap on campus and she expects students to use the facility more as the semester progresses, which has been the case at other universities with similar services.
The new facility will play an active role in serving students throughout the semester by helping with events like Canapalooza, where several organizations come together to collect canned goods during Homecoming, Mosley said.
Though the LSU Food Pantry is currently located in a spare closet, the goal is to have a room dedicated to the operations so any students in need have the opportunity for help, Mosley said.
“There was a need on campus. We are filling a void.”