On Nov. 19, the Saluki Food Pantry held a food drive in the Student Center on campus. They set up a booth and were accepting various food to stock up the pantry for students staying on campus during break.

“It’s something really great that SIU is doing, this low-key food pantry is doing a lot for students who actually need it, it helps them out throughout the year. With all the tuition cost and other costs, this gives them the support they need through college. A lot of kids drop out of college because they’re not able to afford food and stuff like that; it’s really helping out a lot of people,” said Saluki Food Drive volunteer Dale Sunny. 

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The food drive was accepting fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, side dishes, pantry items and soups. The booth was set up in the Student Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

“For the food drive, we accept food and other sorts of essentials for students at SIU, so they can save money by using the food pantry. So we’re accepting donations and food essentials for the students who need them,” said Saluki Food Drive Volunteer Autumn Meyer.

If people who wanted to donate could not bring a food item, they could leave a donation to the pantry at the table. People can also visit the Saluki Food Pantry page on the student center website to contribute. The page can be reached at https://studentcenter.siu.edu/services/saluki-food-pantry.php.

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“If you’re an SIU student you can sign up for the food pantry online and it only takes about five minutes,” Meyer said.

On the Saluki Food Pantry page, students can sign up to be able to stop at the food pantry monthly and pick up what they need. The food pantry is open Monday and Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursdays 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. 

“It’s in the basement of the Student Center. If you’re a student at SIU, you can go in once a month and get food that you need for the month,” Sunny said.

With donations the food pantry receives, they visit local grocery stores to purchase items to stock the shelves. As donations come year round, one of the volunteers makes note of what items need to be replenished. 

“Usually we get the money to purchase the food from donations. I know last year it was bought at Kroger, we have someone that goes and picks out things. People can donate all year round, it doesn’t have to be during a food drive,” Meyer said.

Staff Reporter Alli Goering can be reached at [email protected]

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