History
During the summer of 2022, a group of Student Affairs staff and faculty engaged in a system-level discussion on tackling food insecurity on campus. The task force worked to anticipate and provide for student needs - ideally, identifying and removing barriers and gaps to food insecurity - and with the College’s senior leadership to influence policies and plan appropriately.
The task force also began conversations with Living Hope Foundation, a local food pantry, and in September 2022, the Wolves Pantry was born. Since it opened, Wolves Pantry has served 1,500 known shoppers. It has expanded to offer several blessing stations across campus where students can grab snacks and provide feminine hygiene products in female bathrooms.
Who can use Wolves Pantry?
- Any student may utilize this resource for food, personal hygiene products, or school supplies free of charge. There is no application or screening process.
Will Wolves Pantry be open over breaks?
- The Wolves Pantry hours vary. Students are encouraged to check the Campus Ministry Instagram account for semester hours or contact our campus pastor, the Rev. David Coffman '97, at David.Coffman@newberry.edu. Please come inside and take what you need after completing an anonymous survey.
How much can I take?
- We ask that you take up to 10 items per visit to the Pantry, and 1-2 items pervisit to the Blessing Stations.
Why do students face food insecurity?
- Food Allergies - Some students are food insecure because they have allergies to common ingredients. The top nine allergens are: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, and sesame. Other medical conditions that contribute to the gaps include diabetes, celiac, lactose intolerance, sodium restrictions, and other sensitivities or special needs. Metz Dining at Newberry College provides a Pure and Simple Station that avoids preparing foods of the top 9 allergic items. Many of the foods in a pantry aren’t always allergy free and some students have to do an extra search or go without that particular food. More and more students are coming to college with diagnosed sensory issues such as Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), food aversions, food fixations, and eating disorders.
- Religious Traditions - Students must decide what they can eat or how they can participate in dining services, especially if their diet restricts consumption based on religious practices. The meal plans at colleges also have to be aware of fasting rituals and make options available before sunrise or after sunset. Spaghetti, barbecue, and pizza are simple and staple meals at college events, but some students don’t eat tomato sauces, cheese, pork, and need alternate options if meals are served.
- Economic Issues - Some students come from low-income homes and may or may not receive SNAP benefits, which do not necessarily follow them to college. If they attend a school a few hours away from home, they aren’t able to receive separate benefits to buy SNAP-approved foods for their room. Students also wrestle with financial limitations of “eating out,” a social stigma of not being able to afford a simple pizza in the residence hall with friends, or going somewhere to hang out unless it includes their meal plan at the cafeteria or on-campus dining.
- Logistical issues - These can include but are not limited to:
- Early/late practices, classes, meetings where students can't access the cafeteria during regular hours
- Timing of student loan payments, grant payments, and student paychecks
- For international students, they may run into logistical challenges with opportunities for work or the inability to do so.
- Limited or no access to kitchens, refrigerators, or microwaves
- Locations of nearest grocery/convenience stores off-campus dining. Also, access to transportation for off-campus stores or restaurants.
Where can I donate supplies?
- Donations for food and hygiene products can be left in Weber House Campus Ministry or by contacting the campus pastor. We can also arrange a local pick-up. You can also donate through the Wolves Pantry supply Amazon wish list. If you wish to make a monetary donation, you can donate online through the Campus Ministry donation page and designate your gift to "Wolves Pantry." You can also send a check to:
Newberry College
2100 College St.
Newberry, SC 29108
Attn: Campus Ministry
Make checks payable to Newberry College Campus Ministry and designate "Wolves Pantry" in the memo section.
