For college students, the pursuit of higher education is often accompanied by a myriad of challenges. Beyond academic coursework, students grapple with financial constraints, housing insecurities, and the ever-present pressure to balance their studies with work and personal lives. In fact, among these challenges, food insecurity stands out as a particularly pervasive obstacle to student success. SOU’s student-run food pantry serves as a vital resource for students facing food insecurity, providing them with access to nutritious food and fostering an environment of support and well-being. 

Addressing a Critical Need 

College is expensive, and access to food can be a significant challenge. Joshua Kahsen, who has been involved with the food pantry for three and a half years, notes, “College is expensive, so having that access to food is already a difficult challenge in the first place.” By providing a reliable source of food, the pantry alleviates a major stressor in students’ lives, allowing them to focus on their academic pursuits. Each term, the Food pantry sees roughly 350 students with a 1,000 individual visits.  

A Student-Run Initiative 

What sets the SOU food pantry apart is its student-run nature. A team of four student staff members, along with a supervisor, manage the day-to-day operations of the pantry, ensuring its accessibility and effectiveness. Julie Nordin, a business management major and junior at SOU, explains her motivation for working at the pantry: “I wanted to be able to help and give back because I know what it’s like to be in that situation where you just need help. You need that little bit of stress off your shoulders.” This peer-to-peer support system creates a welcoming and non-judgmental environment, encouraging students to seek assistance without hesitation. 

Services and Accessibility 

The SOU food pantry offers a range of services designed to meet the diverse needs of its student population. Students can obtain up to ten perishable items per week, as well as access to fresh produce when available. The pantry collaborates with organizations such as Access in Medford, Ashland Community Food Bank, and Rogue Food Unites to ensure a consistent supply of fresh produce and baked goods. The pantry utilizes QR codes to track usage and assess the needs of its users while maintaining student privacy. 

The food pantry is open to all SOU students, and efforts are made to promote its services through various channels, including social media. The pantry has developed a presence on Instagram to announce fresh produce and non-perishable donations. The consistent schedule of donations helps students plan their visits. 

Impact on Student Well-Being and Success 

The impact of the SOU food pantry extends far beyond simply providing food. By addressing a fundamental need, the pantry contributes significantly to students’ overall well-being and academic success.  

Joshua emphasizes,

“I think it’s very important that students have access to everything that they deserve, and food is definitely something that everyone deserves and needs.”

Access to the food pantry alleviates the stress associated with food insecurity, allowing students to focus on their studies and other responsibilities. The pantry serves as a welcoming space where students can connect with one another and receive support from their peers. By addressing a major barrier to student success, the pantry helps to improve retention rates and ensure that more students are able to complete their degrees. 

Julie notes the broader impact of the food pantry, stating,

“It’s not just about being hungry, but also about alleviating worry.”  

Addressing Barriers and Future Directions 

Despite its success, the SOU food pantry faces ongoing challenges in reaching all students who could benefit from its services. One of the most significant barriers is the pantry’s limited operating hours, which may conflict with students’ class schedules. To address this, the pantry is exploring the possibility of offering online ordering and expanding its hours of operation. 

Looking ahead, the SOU food pantry is committed to expanding its services and reach. Ideas under consideration include: 

• Establishing a food pantry at the Medford location to serve students attending classes or commuting to that campus.  

• Increasing monetary donations to ensure the pantry can continue to purchase food and supplies when donations are low.  

• Organizing more food drives and monetary fundraisers to support the pantry’s operations.  

Resiliency in Action  

As illustrated, the SOU food pantry stands as a testament to the power of student-led initiatives and the importance of addressing basic needs in promoting student success.  As Joshua aptly puts it, the food pantry is working to decrease the stigma associated with using food pantries, emphasizing that it’s about “using this to make your life easier.”  

The SOU food drive is in March, and the pantry would love to incorporate the community in this event as well and is also accepting monetary donations. As SOU continues to invest in and expand this vital resource, it reaffirms its commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable learning environment where all students have the opportunity to thrive. 

***

Give directly to the SOU Food Pantry.