Social work students hosting food drive
MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State University Student Social Work Organization (SSWO) is hosting a food drive for the Minot State food pantry this weekend, March 5 and 6.
The event will be held in the Marketplace Foods 1620 South Broadway location from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
“We will be inside the store as well as outside on Broadway with signs and smiling faces,” Shelby Stuckey, MSU Food Drive Committee chair, said. “Look for the big, purple Donation Station trailer provided by the Minot Area Community Foundation — you can’t miss us.”
The drive will be accepting monetary donations as well as nonperishable food items, personal hygiene products, and household goods such as cleaning supplies. Highly requested items include breakfast items such as granola bars, canned chicken and tuna, peanut butter and jelly, canned fruit and fruit cups, laundry supplies, and toiletries.
“The food pantry is important because it serves Minot State students, faculty, and staff,” said Jenna Metcalf, committee member.
“The pantry can be accessed anonymously and offers a wide array of food items, toiletries, and even diapers,” said Sophia Kneeling, committee member. “It is a resource that can help ease the strain of someone’s situation.”
The community food drive initially came about through a conversation.
“Jenna and I first met with Paul Brekke (Wellness Center director), which led to the formation of a research project regarding the use of the food pantry with the help of our principal investigator, Dr. John McCollum (assistant professor of sociology),” Stuckey said. “Throughout this process, I noticed how quickly the food in the pantry would be gone and it was apparent that there is a great need for this resource.
“I went to SSWO and discussed the needs of our campus community and how we could help address those needs.”
The Minot State food pantry drive resembles a cornerstone event of the SSWO — Freezin’ for a Reason, where donations are accepted for local homeless shelters. Held on Nov. 20 and 21, SSWO was able to donate $2,000 to Project Bee and $668 to the Men’s Winter Refuge along with collecting 600 pounds of food.
Volunteers are welcome to help with the MSU food pantry drive and can sign up HERE or email Stuckey at shelby.stuckey@MinotStateU.edu. Everyone is welcome to volunteer and/or donate to the cause.
“It’s important to us to help benefit Minot State’s community,” said Emerald Okotie, committee member.
“We also want to be able to spread awareness of the food pantry,” added Slim Lee, committee member.
The Minot State food pantry supplies items to the Minot State community who may be experiencing hunger or struggling to purchase food and other items. Open to all campus students, faculty, and staff, the pantry is ran by Lutheran Campus Ministries.
