BY CASSIDEY KAVATHAS, NEWS EDITOR
The St. Bonaventure University food pantry opens for its third year. The pantry began in Oct. 2019, when Alice Miller Nation, director of Bona’s Franciscan Center for Social Concern, found out that some students living on campus struggled with having enough food to get through the week.
The pantry is located in McGinley-Carney Center for Franciscan Ministry, room 114 and is open Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. or by appointment through Miller Nation’s email, which is anation@sbu.edu. Students, faculty and staff have the opportunity to receive five items per day from the pantry’s wide variety of goods. Feminine hygiene products and snacks such as candy and granola bars don’t count towards the five items.
“We are trying to expand our offerings for the community,” said Miller Nation. “We always accept donations.”
The beginning of the new semester brings new opportunities and goods to the pantry. The pantry is always explaining their offerings. Twenty-five to 30 percent of undergraduate students deal with food insecurity issues. This pantry hopes to help bring those percentages down and make sure every member of the Bonaventure community is well fed.
“We developed a partnership with a food pantry in Allegany and they close for the week on Thursdays so they have to get rid of all their perishables,” said Miller Nation.
Due to this partnership, the pantry can now offer proteins such as rotisserie chickens, hams, one pound rolls of ground beef, ground chicken, chicken tenders and more. Besides these proteins, the pantry is also offering artisan bread, desserts, ice cream, butter, jams, pastas and canned food.
“Students are really appreciating the proteins because those are the more expensive things.” said Miller Nation “Sister Marget, the retired president of the university, often brings in desserts so students can have something a little sweet.”
The pantry serves about 10 people daily ranging from students to staff. Though the turn out can depend on the day or the weather.
“The freezer items are always a big hit! People also tend to favor pasta, sauce, and snacks.” said Bridget O’Hern, a senior health and society major, “We are constantly adding new foods so there are always new options for people to pick from.”
The pantry doesn’t only offer food items. Supplies such as toilet paper and feminine hygiene products are donated to help students, faculty and staff in need.
“From the move out sale last year we saved a lot of the cleaning supplies that were still pretty full,” said Miller Nation “We have sponges, toilet bowl cleaner and toilet paper.”
Later in the semester, the pantry is hosting a food drive to promote the pantry. The pantry is accepting donations year round as well.
“There isn’t a limit to what can be donated because we have freezers and refrigerator space. We can accept anything,” said Miller Nation, “All we ask is that it is unopened and not expired.”
The pantry is ready to serve and reduce food insecurity among college students and our campus community.
“We are here for the whole campus community, but we are always aware of how we can continue to spread that reach,” said Miller Nation.
The giving spirit that surrounds the Bonaventure community shines through in programs such as the SBU food pantry.
“I’m really proud to be part of this organization. I feel like I’m contributing to the entire St. Bonaventure community. Although the pantry isn’t used by everyone yet, just knowing that it is open and accessible to everyone is amazing.” said O’Hern.
kavathcj20@bonaventure.edu
