Brenna Patrick
Staff Writer
Beginning in January the new Benny’s Pantry program will commence in room 120 of the Pond Student Union Building.
According to ISU’s First Lady Laura Vailas, who initiated the project, the goal of the pantry is to distribute non-perishable foods to any faculty member or student of Idaho State University in an attempt to lower food insecurity.
Vailas and the rest of the Pantry’s Advisery Board define food insecurity as not having access to adequate nutritious food or not knowing if there will be adequate food for a next meal.
“The goal is to help students get an education. We can’t let hunger get in the way of that,” Vailas said.
According to Vailas, food stamps are systematically being cut, which was the catalyst to create a food pantry at ISU.
Vailas said she hopes Benny’s Pantry will help alleviate the ISU community’s stress about shopping for food and making sure there is enough for everyone.
Benny’s Pantry will be a student-run organization managed by the Idaho State University LEAD Center for Orientation, Leadership and Service. It will be staffed with trained volunteers.
According to Brooke Barber, another advisery member, when the pantry becomes operational clients will be able to use their current, valid Bengal ID to shop in the pantry twice per month with strict confidentiality rules about their financial status.
Barber added that there are no requirements for how long or how many times a person can volunteer. Students may sign up to volunteer when it is most convenient to them.
Advisery member Laura McKnight is the director of ISU’s dietetics program and helps the board make sure everyone who uses the food pantry will have nutritious yet tasty food items that will make for a well-balanced diet.
Operational hours for spring semester 2014 will be as follows: Mondays from noon to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from noon to 2 p.m.
During December, select ISU student organizations and ASISU are competing in a food collection drive to help Benny’s Pantry.
Anyone interested in donating non-perishable food items, monetary investments or in volunteering in advance of the opening may do so at the Campus Connection desk inside the Pond Student Union Building or email ude.USInull@daeL for more information.
