Food pantry gains approval, closer to becoming organization

The Sam Houston State University Food Pantry is one step closer to becoming a new organization after receiving a thumbs-up from campus officials on Friday.

The pantry received approval from Vice President for Student Services Frank Parker along with a $3,000 contribution.

The pantry was created for students who are unable to afford balanced meals and provide volunteer and networking opportunities for students.

Candice Wilson, Program Coordinator for First Year Experience, is a part of the advisory board for the food pantry. She said the next step for the pantry is to make it an official organization.

"The advisory board has discussed making the food pantry a student organization because of organization benefits and because it will be easier for other groups to work with us. So completing all of the necessary requirements for that is a next step," said Wilson.

After making the pantry official, the next step is to find a location for the physical aspect of the pantry.

Amber Spell, a sophomore computer science and mathematics major, played a major role in the organization’s creation.

"I did a lot of research on food pantries in various universities and colleges across America," she said. "There were a lot. I was so surprised because I hadn’t ever heard of it. I researched how they put together their pantries and how it was presented to the campus. With all this information, I knew that this project was going to need a team," Spell said.

Spell alongside Bernice Strauss, Ph.D., Director of Academic Support Programs, and other members of the pantry’s advisory board gained support from the faculty senate, Project CONNECT, Bearkat Learning Community, McNair Scholars and Sam Houston Elite. The recent approval from VP Parker is a step toward ending student hunger at SHSU.

"It’s so exciting," Spell said.

The benefits of the organization are not only for hungry students.

"The great thing is that it’s strictly a project for improvement," Spell said. "We want to improve the food shortage, network opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and the character in our student body. Not many people will want to turn this away."

Wilson agreed and said the program is a chance for the SHSU community to grow.

"The [beneficiaries] won’t just be students who struggle with food insecurity. It’ll also be the students who contribute to our food drives and to the SHSU community, the students who develop personally through their volunteer work with us, and the students who learn more about needs in the SHSU community."

For more information, contact Candice Wilson at c.wilson@shsu.edu.