A small group in the leadership program at Ferris, coordinated by the Career and Professional Success office, chose to tackle food insecurity as their community impact project.
While there are several food pantries on campus, the group decided to focus on the pantry located in the West Campus Commons. The group wanted to focus on promoting to students that they have access to resources for food on campus.
Criminal justice junior Katlynn Sturis believes that the project is an important one.
“During my time at Ferris, I’ve noticed a lack of information about existing food pantries or other initiatives aimed at addressing food insecurity,” Sturis said. “This lack of awareness stems from insufficient advertising and promotion. I am determined to change this by actively promoting these resources to aid students in need.”
The group is also working on providing healthier options at the food pantry, as well as recipes.
“We’re helping try to create recipes to spark creativity for students to use all non-perishable items,” Ellis said. “So, your pasta, canned fruit and vegetables, different sealed things that will last on a shelf for quite a while.”
Pre-medicine junior Elizabeth Reed expressed how this project is personal to her.
“I work two jobs just to afford tuition, food and the books that I need for these classes,” Reed said. “I kind of have the personal experience of not being able to afford food. I’ve seen the negative impact of not being able to eat breakfast one morning, and then you still have to go to that 9:00 a.m. exam, and it is a struggle.”
Business administration senior Madison Ellis saw how people generally react to food insecurity.
“We noticed that there is a certain stigma about students going to a food bank,” Ellis said. “They think that it is scary or unknown, and there is a certain social stigma surrounding them that might want to fray them away from it. So, we want to help eliminate that stigma and help normalize it.”
The group expressed that there is a lack of promotion of available resources here on campus, which can lead to students not knowing what is available to them.
“I think some of the negativity behind getting food assistance in general is you have to ask for help, and sometimes people just don’t know where to ask for help,” Reed said. “My first two years here at Ferris I didn’t realize that we had a food bank or the Wesley House.”
The West Campus food pantry is open to all students, and you only need your student ID number to get food.
“Accessing the pantry requires visiting their office, where you’ll be asked to sign in. No income requirements or paperwork are necessary; simply present your student ID during the sign-in process. From there, you will have access to the food pantry.” Sturis said.
If you wish to donate, Amazon wishlist links are advertised across campus on posters, as well as posted on social media. You can also donate non-perishable items. You can drop them off at the CAPS office on the lower level of the David L. Eisler Center. Lastly, monetary donations are also accepted at the CAPS office, although checks cannot be accepted.
The food pantry, located within West Campus Commons, operates from Monday to Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The food pantry is closed on Sundays.
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