The University of North Dakota (UND) has launched its second annual Pack the Pantry Campus Challenge to raise awareness and support for the Food for Thought Food Pantry. The initiative aims to unite the university community in addressing food insecurity among students, according to Kristi Okerlund, director of student involvement and parent programs. Okerlund emphasized the importance of ensuring that students do not face hunger, stating, “You can’t be academically successful when you’re hungry.”
Last year’s inaugural challenge saw participation from 14 teams, culminating in the donation of 3,594 items and $4,325 in online contributions. This year’s challenge began on February 19, 2024, and will conclude on March 5, 2024. Maridee Shogren, dean of the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines, noted that the goal is simply to exceed last year’s contributions. The number of participating teams has already increased to 17, indicating growing engagement.
By February 26, the leading teams included Hunger Heroes, representing housing and residence life staff, which collected 448 pantry items; Alphabet Soup from Chester Fritz Library, with 66 items and $310 in donations; and McCANnel Hall, which gathered 355 items. Shogren highlighted the challenge’s origins in the college’s strategic plan, emphasizing community outreach as a key focus.
“It breaks my heart to think that there are students who are hungry,” Shogren expressed. She reflected on the challenges students face in studying when they lack sufficient food, underscoring the importance of providing supportive resources in a non-judgmental way.
Items that tend to vanish quickly from the pantry shelves include white rice, vegetable oil, toilet paper, and laundry soap. Okerlund noted that unique items are often gone within an hour of their arrival, as “word travels quickly” among students.
The Pack the Pantry initiative is complemented by the Feeding Futures Presentation, which took place on February 26, 2024, at the Memorial Union. The event featured discussions led by students and faculty on the issue of food insecurity at UND. Presenters explored barriers to food security, the impacts on students, and potential solutions to mitigate hunger on campus.
Jeffrey Anvari-Clark, an assistant professor of social work, proposed several strategies for addressing food insecurity, including emergency food stipends and a food endowment fund. He noted the discrepancies between the support provided to younger students and the expectations placed on college students to manage their own meals. “Yes, they’re older, yes, they’re able to take on more, but… they’re actually sitting in the same type of situation where they’ve got lower material means,” he explained.
As the challenge continues, the university community remains focused on ensuring that all students have access to essential resources, fostering an environment where academic success can thrive.
