Fighting food insecurity on campus just got a big boost at Washington State University, thanks to a donation by Safeway. The grocery chain has contributed both food to stock the shelves of the Cougar Food Pantry and $20,000 in funds aimed for updating the pantry’s equipment. The Washington State University's community has an open invitation to tour the facilities and witness the kickoff of the equipment upgrades on Thursday, April 10, at 9 a.m., reported WSU News.
In order to expand their capability to provide for students in need, two new refrigerators and two freezers will be bought with the cash donation from Safeway. The presence of Dave Cillay, WSU Pullman chancellor, and other notable figures, including Ben Calabretta and Sara Osborne, are expected to leave remarks at the upcoming event described by WSU News. Alumni of the Seattle Seahawks will also join the gathering in support of the initiative.
Concurrent with the pantry tour, WSU Dining Services will host the "Feed Cougs Well" tasting event. At 10 a.m. in the CUB Lair, attendees will be able to taste dishes made from pantry ingredients. Intending to inspire students with simple yet nutritious food options, WSU’s associate director of culinary, Solon Pietila, and registered dietitian, Martha Flores, will showcase two dishes: a lentil tabbouleh salad and lentil dahl soup. "The Cougar Food Pantry has great ingredients grown right here in Whitman County," stated Pietila. The event will also offer recipe cards for students to take home.
Additionally, the university community is encouraged to participate in the Chancellor’s Food Challenge, set to conclude on April 16, WSU’s #CougsGive Day. The challenge is a call to action for teams to collect food, gather monetary contributions, and serve as ambassadors. Having the benefit of making a tangible difference in students' lives, winning teams will get the added bonus of a celebratory meal and campus-wide recognition, as Merri Lecoq, Cougar Food Pantry coordinator, told WSU News.
The Department of Ecology in Washington has been working closely with WSU for the activities aligned with the state's Food Waste Prevention Week. The department sees the university's effort as a prime example of collaborative success in addressing food wastage and security issues. According to Jade Monroe, food center lead at the Department of Ecology, throughout the planning for these events, over 100 partners across the state have taken part in heightening public awareness. The Cougar Food Pantry has been a central figure in combating food insecurity since its inception in the CUB back in 2021. It now serves approximately 4,000 individuals every month and has reportedly provided support for about 12% of the student body, as obtained by WSU News.
These initiatives come at a critical time; as the semester advances, many students face dwindling resources. The hope is that this support will sustain the pantry and ensure students have access to food throughout the remainder of the semester and into the summer months. The recent announcement by the state Department of Ecology underscores the importance of ongoing community support in facing issues of food insecurity on university campuses.
