Grand Forks, North Dakota, is witnessing a renewed effort to combat food insecurity among students as the University of North Dakota (UND) embarks on its second annual Pack the Pantry Campus Challenge. This initiative, organized by the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines, aims to support the Food for Thought Food Pantry through increased community participation and awareness.
Kristi Okerlund, the director of student involvement and parent programs, emphasized the importance of this challenge. “You can’t be academically successful when you’re hungry,” she stated, highlighting the critical link between access to food and educational achievement.
Last year, the inaugural challenge saw participation from 14 teams, resulting in the donation of 3,594 items and $4,325 raised through online contributions. The current challenge began on February 19, 2024, and will conclude on March 5, 2024. This year, the initiative has already exceeded expectations, with 17 teams registered to participate.
Community Engagement and Support
As of February 26, 2024, the leading teams include Hunger Heroes, representing housing and residence life staff, Alphabet Soup from Chester Fritz Library, and McCANnel Hall. Hunger Heroes has collected 448 pantry items, while Alphabet Soup has contributed 66 items along with $310 in online donations. McCANnel Hall has also gathered an impressive 355 items.
Maridee Shogren, dean of the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines, expressed her commitment to addressing food insecurity on campus. The challenge aligns with the college’s three-year strategic plan, which emphasizes community outreach. “From a mom perspective, it breaks my heart to think that there are students who are hungry,” Shogren remarked, underscoring the emotional toll that food scarcity can impose on students.
Okerlund noted that items like white rice, vegetable oil, toilet paper, and laundry soap often disappear from the pantry shelves quickly. More unique items, which are less frequently stocked, tend to be claimed within an hour of arrival, indicating a high demand for a variety of goods.
Raising Awareness and Finding Solutions
In conjunction with the Pack the Pantry event, a presentation titled Feeding Futures was held on February 26, 2024, in the Memorial Union. This event featured discussions led by students and faculty focused on the challenges of food insecurity at UND. Topics included barriers to food security, the impact of hunger on student performance, and potential solutions to improve food access.
Jeffrey Anvari-Clark, an assistant professor of social work, proposed several initiatives to enhance food security, such as emergency food stipends and a food endowment fund. He pointed out the disparity faced by college students, who, unlike their younger counterparts in middle and high schools, are expected to budget for their meals while managing their academic responsibilities.
As the challenge progresses, it not only aims to bolster the pantry’s resources but also seeks to foster a sense of community among students and staff. By addressing food insecurity openly and non-judgmentally, UND is taking significant steps to ensure that all students have the support they need to thrive academically.
