Since the start of the pandemic, rising costs in nutritious food have only amplified stress towards college students in need. Receiving an abundance of requests from VanCougs more than ever before, the Cougar Food Pantry is here to address the alarming increases of food insecurity within the WSU Vancouver community.
Located in the upper level of the Student Service’s Center, the food pantry is open to all students who are currently enrolled at WSU Vancouver. Employees at the food pantry are there to provide students with nonperishable food items every day to ensure students’ needs are being met.
Cyle A. Malcolm, junior earth and environmental science major, has been the food pantry coordinator since March. Malcolm said the pantry has incorporated major changes due to the pandemic, which includes changing their entire process on how they supply food to students.
To request food, students must fill out a form online, which can be found here and then select the nonperishable food items of their choice. Several options include gluten-free and vegetarian foods. There is also a special suggestion box where students can have an input on what foods should be offered in the future.
Food bags are then put together after the requests have been fulfilled, and students are free to pick up their bags on Wednesdays anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
“We just set all of the orders outside under a covered area, and then [the students] have their submission form on there, so their name is highlighted, then it is kind of an honor system, they take what’s theirs,” Malcolm said.
Josh Graisy, Cougar Center’s supervisor, added that changing the pick-up procedure allows the food pantry to practice social distancing measures, which ultimately keeps the students safe. Due to excessive use of the food pantry from students in comparison to previous years, the Cougar Food Pantry also has implemented a new rule where students must request food bags within a 24-hour notice. This ensures the food pantry can adequately prepare high numbers of requests coming in from students throughout the week.
“It was probably January or so of this year where people had to do a 24-hour notice. A year or two ago, we were only getting about 30 or 40 pick-ups a semester. Now we are getting 30 or 40 pick-ups a week. It was not a big issue before, but now with so many people utilizing it, we had to put 24-hours in advance,” Graisy said.
Lucy Cockrell, a sophomore psychology major, has visited the Cougar Food Pantry multiple times and said she is thankful for their services.
“I feel so privileged to be able to have access to this option, I know that sometimes when asking for assistance people tend to feel sad or upset, but WSU Vancouver made the process so easy and simple and super discreet as to not make anyone feel bad,” Cockrell explained. “Other students should 100% take advantage if needed.”
As for future Cougar Food Pantry plans, there will also be special fresh food events, where each semester the pantry provides fresh vegetables, fruit, protein and dairy instead of nonperishable food for students. The next event is scheduled for Nov. 19 and Nov. 20, where food bags are filled with festive Thanksgiving holiday goods.
“We will still have our fresh fruits and veggies, but we are also going to try and supply turkeys, and various other Thanksgiving-themed dishes. So people will actually be getting a little bit more food than they usually would in our events,” Malcolm said.
While students may feel hesitant to reach out for help during this Thanksgiving, the food pantry is available to assist students this season and all year-round. Students can also find out how they can donate and more information by visiting the organization’s website here.