Brooke Barber
Director of Orientation, Leadership and Service
Students who eat nutritiously are better able to thrive in their academic journey.
That is the philosophy behind Benny’s Pantry, an on-campus emergency food pantry created as a program within the Division of Student Affairs and led by the Office of Student Involvement and Orientation.
Students sometimes have to make difficult choices when it comes to balancing their educational and life expenses. Many ISU students also have their own children to feed on a daily basis. It’s the desire of the Division of Student Affairs that any person in the ISU community experiencing food insecurity would have a dignified and accessible means of food support.
Since opening in Pocatello in 2014, Benny’s Pantry has now expanded to a second location in Idaho Falls, and distributes over 12,000 pounds of food per year to the ISU community. Anyone with an active Bengal card may visit the pantry two times per month and shop for free food using a household size shopping guide. Customers do not have to share any personal financial details while shopping at Benny’s Pantry.
The food within Benny’s Pantry is not purchased using student tuition or fees. Instead, all food is donated or is purchased through financial gifts given by donors. Benny’s Pantry is managed by the staff of the Office of Student Involvement and Orientation and is highly supported by student volunteers.
Are you interested in volunteering with Benny’s Pantry? Stop by and see us at the Involvement Fair on August 22 and sign up for volunteer training. You may also visit isu.edu/pantry for our volunteer interest form.
Are you interested in shopping at Benny’s Pantry? Are you interested in donating to Benny’s Pantry? Visit isu.edu/pantry for shopping hours, location details and donation information.
