When students, faculty and staff join together to support NIU Huskie Food Pantry, it proves to be a winning combination. That was the case in January when the College of Health and Human Sciences (CHHS) and the CHHS Student Advisory Committee teamed up to help fellow Huskies.
“The Student Advisory Committee (SAC) wanted to participate in this food drive to not only raise food donations for the food drive but to spread awareness of the food pantry resources we have here on campus,” said Romeo Bell, a rehabilitation and disability services major and chair of the SAC.
Mission accomplished.
The two-week drive began Jan. 9 when CHHS hosted their all-college meeting in Wirtz Hall auditorium to kick off the spring semester. Faculty and staff were encouraged to bring food items to the meeting and donation boxes remained in Wirtz Hall until Jan. 23.
The donations kept coming.
“I was very excited to see the number of food items donated,” Bell said. “It was way more than I expected, a really great turnout.”
CHHS Dean Beverly Henry shared the sentiment.
“I was amazed,” Henry said. “It really reminded me how kind-hearted our CHHS community is and if we make the action step achievable, together we do great things.”
Henry said that CHHS students initially approached her with the idea for the drive, and faculty and staff were eager to join forces. Bell and fellow students publicized the food drive, placing fliers and donation boxes throughout campus. When Huskies started classes on Jan. 17, more donations filtered in.
Jeanne Baxter, assistant director of Huskie Food Pantry, said because the food pantry is closed during the university’s winter break, the timing of the CHHS food drive was critical.
“Receiving a large food donation at the beginning of the year was a great lift for our students,” Baxter said. “Their gratitude was clearly visible on their faces, and several took the time to express their appreciation. Our student volunteers were also thrilled to have the pantry shelves full!” 
Baxter said that campus-supported food drives are important to the Huskie Food Pantry for many reasons.
“The support of food drives provides an opportunity to obtain foods we can’t access through the Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB),” Baxter said. “By organizing food drives that request foods that have not expired, as well as foods and items in which the pantry is in most need, it increases the quality and dignity of the shopping experience for our students.”
NIU faculty, staff and students provide support by hosting food drives, donating food and volunteering at the pantry. All components are necessary for the pantry to remain a sustainable food resource for NIU students.
Bell said it was a great experience and one he’d recommend to other campus partners.
“The food drive was a very fun and rewarding event to put together,” Bell said. “You get the chance to see our NIU community come together a donate to each other is amazing.”
Baxter said financial donations are also important to the pantry’s success.
“Financial donations help tremendously as the Huskie Food Pantry faces the challenge of remaining sustainable without a budget,” Baxter said. “This covers the cost of purchasing food at a discounted rate through the NIFB. It also offers the opportunity to purchase foods and products at local stores when items are not available at the NIFB.”
The Huskie Food Pantry is always looking for volunteers, food donations and financial support. Learn more about how you can help at Huskie Food Pantry.
