Food Lion restocks WSSU’s student food pantry
The Rams Helping Hands Food Pantry is fully stocked again thanks to a donation from Food Lion.
Ten Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) student volunteers went to work on Tuesday, Feb. 19, restocking the shelves of the pantry, which provides in-need students with healthy, culturally appropriate emergency foods.
Food Lion donated more than 2,800 pounds of food through its Food Lions Feeds Initiative, which works to end hunger in local communities.
Founded in 2016, the on-campus pantry provides in-need WSSU students with healthy, culturally appropriate emergency foods. The food was provided as part of Food Lion's ongoing efforts to end hunger in local communities.
According to studies, one in five college students is food insecure – lacking reliable access to sufficient quantities of food – which can have a devastating impact on their ability to achieve academic success.
The effort comes at a time following the holiday season when food donations are generally lower and pantry shelves are at risk of being empty.
Since the WSSU food pantry launched, 293 students have used its services.
The most popular items include: flavored oatmeal, ramen noodles, soup, spaghetti noodles and sauce, pop tarts, granola bars, fruit cups, apple sauce, and peanut butter and jelly. The busiest times for the pantry are midterms, finals and just before winter break.
For 25 years, Food Lion has partnered with Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Conference schools to set up pantries in 13 towns and cities where CIAA schools are located. WSSU is a member of the CIAA Conference.
The food pantry is fully staffed by dozens of student volunteers. No student fees are used.
Among the student volunteers was Miss Winston-Salem State University Christina Harris. Harris, a senior biology major from Greensboro, is raising awareness for food insecurity through the Miss CIAA competition, which is supported by Food Lion.
MORE: Miss WSSU competing for Miss CIAA 2019
The Rams Helping Hands Food Pantry is one of a number of resources that are offered through the Dean of Students Office to help students succeed.
About Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University fosters the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character needed to transform the world. Rooted in liberal education, WSSU’s curriculum prepares students to be thought leaders who have the skills and knowledge needed to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. Founded in 1892, WSSU is a historically Black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina with a rich tradition of contributing to the social, cultural, intellectual, and economic growth of North Carolina, the region and beyond. Guided by the motto, “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve,” WSSU develops leaders who advance social justice by serving the world with compassion and commitment.
