Student Food Pantry moving to new, updated location

The Central Michigan University Student Food Pantry is making a much-needed move to a new, more recognizable location inside the first floor of Robinson Hall, on the northwest corner of campus.

“The overall goal is just accessibility,” said Symantha Dattilo, interim director of the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center. “We are really trying to liven the space up and make it feel like it’s a true part of campus life.”

Currently housed in a more off-the-beaten-path location between Robinson and Calkins Halls, the pantry’s new location is larger and more front-facing. In addition to having space for more stock and reliable refrigeration systems, the new pantry features an improved checkout system and a lobby area allowing users to wait indoors, helping to remove some of the personal stigma sometimes associated with food insecurity.

The move also allows the pantry to keep up with the increasing need for its services.

Total visits to the food pantry have increased by 26% compared to a year ago with more than 1,900 unique users accounting for those visits – up 10% from the year prior.

“These are people who receive scholarships, these are athletes, these are students who live in the halls and have meal plans, these are students who live off campus, these are international students,” Dattilo said of the pantry’s diverse user base.

“We know that [expenses] are increasing, and I believe that the food pantry helps students to fully realize their return on their investment in their education when they feel like the community cares about them. And to me, that’s what the pantry symbolizes.”

The Student Food Pantry will continue to serve the campus community in its current location through Friday, May 30. The new Robinson Hall location opens on Tuesday, June 3. Community members are invited to an open house to tour the new space and enjoy light refreshments during the week of June 3-6.

Open house times:

• Tuesday, June 3 from 1-3 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 4 from 10 a.m.-Noon
• Thursday, June 5 from 1-3 p.m.
• Friday, June 6 from 10 a.m.-Noon

More information about the Student Food Pantry, including hours of operation and food insecurity resources can be found on the food pantry’s web page.