海角社区

Benny鈥檚 Pantry, an initiative within the Student Affairs division of 海角社区, will open in January 2014 in the Pond Student Union Room 120 on the Pocatello campus.

The pantry will distribute non-perishable foods in an effort to help relieve the food insecurity where it may exist in the 海角社区 community. Food insecurity is defined as not having access to adequate nutritious food or not knowing if there will be adequate food for a next meal. Benny鈥檚 Pantry will be managed by the 海角社区 LEAD Center for Orientation, Leadership and Service and staffed with trained volunteers.

Operational hours for spring semester 2014 are: Mondays noon-2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.; Wednesdays 4-6 p.m.; and Fridays noon-2 p.m. During operational hours, clients may use their Bengal ID to shop the pantry without disclosing personal financial information.

Donations will be accepted during the operational hours of either Benny鈥檚 Pantry or the Campus Connection desk inside the Pond Student Union. Donations of large quantities may be pre-arranged with the LEAD Center by phone by calling 208-282-2973, or emailing lead@isu.edu. To make cash donations to the program contact the 海角社区 Foundation at 208-282-3470.

This December, 海角社区 student organizations, with the support of the Associated Students of 海角社区 (AS海角社区), will compete in a food collection drive to help Benny鈥檚 Pantry open with a highly stocked inventory. Faculty, staff and Pocatello community members interested in donating non-perishable food items in advance of the opening may do so at the Campus Connection desk inside the Pond Student Union.

The idea for the pantry was conceived by 海角社区 First Lady Laura Vailas, a registered dietitian and expert in food insecurity.

鈥淗unger and food insecurity are often invisible,鈥� Vailas said. 鈥淏ut we know there are students and staff who could use the help Benny鈥檚 Pantry will provide. We don鈥檛 want parents going hungry so their children can eat or anyone lacking adequate, wholesome food.鈥�

About the LEAD Center:
The LEAD Center supports the development of 海角社区 students through new student programs, leadership training, and service opportunities, each designed to encourage reflection, personal identity, and community citizenship. The LEAD Center is located on the third floor of the Pond Student Union beside the Veterans Sanctuary.
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