Located in the Campus and Community Resource Center (CCRC), the Gorilla Pantry provides students with the food and hygiene products they need. While many college students face high grocery expenses, the purpose of the pantry is to help mitigate those financial struggles.
Assistant Director for Campus and Community Resources Kennedy Cooper explained the benefit of this food bank, saying, “I know when I was in college, sometimes I had a hard time trying to get food, it’s expensive, and it just keeps getting more expensive. So, if you’re just trying to get something to eat over the weekend or you can’t make it to the dining hall, or wherever you get your food, you can stop by and get it.”
The pantry offers a variety of products and receives much of the product from the Kansas Food Bank.
“Pretty consistently we have cereal, rice, ramen, pasta, mac n cheese, just stuff to make easy meals with,” Cooper said. “Then we also try to have snacks and random little drinks. Sparkling water, and sometimes we have energy drinks.”
Along with food, the pantry sets students up for good hygienic habits.
“We also offer basic hygiene products like shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, razors, all the stuff you’d need to keep yourself clean,” Cooper said.
The pantry has provided several resources this semester already.
“So far this semester, we’ve had 172 uses- That’s not unique people, but uses,” Cooper said.
Cooper emphasized that the pantry is designed for any and all students.
“It’s open to all PSU students,” Cooper said. “There are no requirements, you can just come in and take what you need. All we ask is that you scan our QR code and fill out the form.”
She added that many students don’t realize that the resource is for them.
“A lot of people are hesitant to come to the food pantry cause they’re like, ‘Oh, this isn’t for me,’ but it literally is, like, for everyone,” she said. “So, I really want to make that clear.”
The food pantry ensures that students can cook the food they pick up.
“We also have a microwave and stuff, so if you get food and you need a place to cook it between classes, you can come here to do that,” Cooper added.
For those hoping to donate, the food bank isn’t picky. “We’ll take pretty much anything,” Cooper said. “I will say our most popular items are snacks and microwave meals, so I’ll say those are the most needed.”
There are several other on-campus resources in the CCRC that help set students up for success.
“In our office specifically, we have the food and hygiene pantry, and we have our clothes closet for if they ever need professional clothes. But we also have some casual clothes like jackets, Pitt State, and jeans too, so if you ever need clothes, you can come to us,” Cooper explained. “We also offer free printing, and if students are in need of more direct one-on-one support, we also offer the Sparkwheel program, which can help students with success coaching.”
The CCRC is found at the lower level of the Overman Student Center and is open to all students from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. Monday through Friday.