NMU Food Pantry looking for donations

MARQUETTE — A Food Insecurity Survey done in Spring 2017 found that 40 percent of students at Northern Michigan University know someone who has skipped a meal due to financial constraints or have skipped a meal themselves for the same reason. In response, students and faculty worked to open a food pantry to help not only students, but faculty and university staff in need.

Giving Tuesday set the NMU Food Pantry with enough donations to open, but they are still seeking food and monetary donations to keep it open. The pantry is currently open two times a week (Tuesdays from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 5:00-7:00 p.m.) and sees about 10 consistent visitors during each of those times.

“On March 1st, we were open 16 times, had 179 visits and 82 different visitors,” said Megan O’Connor, the volunteer coordinator for the NMU Food Pantry. “It’s pretty frightening how many students have to use the pantry, but I’m very happy that we do have it for students to use.”

The NMU Food pantry is especially looking for donations of feminine hygiene products, breakfast foods and juice. O’Connor said other popular products include pasta and granola bars.

If you’re interested in donating to the NMU Food Pantry, you can drop off food or monetary donations at the Student Services office in Hedgecock, the ASNMU office in the University Center or directly at the pantry, which is located at 101B Gries Hall.

For more information, visit the pantry’s Facebook page HERE.