OUR VIEW: Don’t be ashamed to use the food pantry

It’s no secret; we’ve all looked in our pantries and sighed while looking at one can of refried beans that triggers our up-chuck reflexes.  After hanging our heads due to the barren cupboard, we grab our keys preparing to spend a few bucks at the grocery store. Just in case, we look up the balance in our bank accounts and again hang our heads when a goose egg stares us in the face.

    With the majority of students currently on student loans and the job market tight, it’s tough for college students to keep change in their pockets, especially when the monthly rent and utility bills turn up in their mailboxes. We know all about this. Even those with a source of funding struggle to pay the bills.

    So do those without jobs steal ketchup packets from Burger King to suffice their hunger?

    Tucked away in the third story of the TSC is a room with cabinets and shelves full of food: soups, oatmeal, cans of vegetables, instant potatoes, pasta and more. However, the facilitators of this room who are volunteers from the Student Nutrition Access Center (SNAC) are giving the food they have back to Logan’s food pantry because it isn’t being used. SNAC estimates five students are using USU’s food pantry per week. The truth is, there have to be more students that could benefit from this service.

    Each student that receives a bag of food from the food pantry can do so in confidence. If we have these services available so conveniently to us, why do we not use them, especially when we’re really struggling? The food pantry opens its doors twice a week, thrilled to invite students in who are in a financial bind. It’s OK for students to stop listening to pride and start listening to their rumbling bellies. Reach out to those who are waiting to help. This is why USU values having a service center – to cater to the students who drive the university.

    USU students do have all the tools necessary to be successful if they look for them. Those students who do work and are blessed with a little extra cash, donate a can or two in order to support those who are running out of cereal funds. Our university will not thrive and grow on an empty stomach, so eat up.