Utah State University Launches 'Pack the Pantry' Food Drive

Utah State University is launching a food drive to support the Student Nutrition Access Center, or SNAC, on the Logan campus. The drive will run through Dec. 20.

SNAC provides food assistance to USU students, faculty and staff experiencing food insecurity. A recent report released by SNAC and other campus partners shows 62% of all USU students experience some level of food insecurity. According to the same report, 83% of SNAC users say the pantry helps them feel less worried about having enough food, while 67% say SNAC helps them avoid skipping meals. By donating non-perishable food items, the community can help ensure fellow Aggies have access to nutritious meals, which is especially important as students prepare for finals in the next few weeks.

Food insecurity is a growing problem on college campuses across the country, according to Casey Coombs, assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences and the SNAC faculty director.

“A lot of people think of the starving college student as kind of a rite of passage, but it really doesn't have to and shouldn't be that way,” Coombs said. “We are invested in helping all of our students thrive and excel throughout their time here at Utah State, and one of the fundamental things we can do is help them meet their basic needs.”

SNAC volunteers stock shelves and gather food donations from a number of restaurants in Cache Valley and USU Dining Services locations across campus, which reduces food waste. Some suppliers have had to cut back their donations, leading to shortages at SNAC. At peak times during the year, SNAC serves nearly 1,000 students per week on the Logan campus. Students can visit once each week and only need to show their student ID and bring a bag to carry the food they select. The goal for Pack the Pantry is to gather 5,000 pounds of food that will stock shelves with essentials.

Most-needed items include:

• Canned vegetables.
• Canned fruit.
• Peanut butter.
• Oatmeal packets.
• Pasta and sauce.
• Canned tuna and chicken.
• Ravioli, soup and chili.
• Boxed mac and cheese.
• Lentils and beans.

Donations can be dropped off at most campus buildings, with collection boxes in more than 25 locations. An interactive map notes collection spots on the Logan campus. Organizers hope for friendly competition between different departments and buildings and will have a running tally of donations and other information on the Pack the Pantry website

In addition to food donations, individuals can support SNAC through financial donations on a secure website. USU employees can also make monthly contributions through payroll deductions.