CWU community’s support needed this month to Pack the Pantry

Central Washington University’s annual on-campus food drive will be held throughout the month of January, and the Wildcat Pantry is asking for help from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members.

Beginning Monday, January 8, Central’s food relief organization will be looking to Pack the Pantry with non-perishable food, clothing, household goods, hygiene products, and other essentials for members of the Wildcat community who need extra support this winter.

“Pack the Pantry is critical to our work to not only stock the pantry, but bring awareness to our program and the basic needs resources we have to offer students,” Wildcat Pantry Coordinator Brady Smith said, adding that the pantry saw a nearly 200% increase in visits this fall over a year ago. “We are now spending about $2,000 each week on food and other essentials, which is double from last year." 

Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to contribute any goods they can to support the Wildcat Pantry, which has seen more than 1,800 visits since the start of the classes in September.

If you would like to purchase a specific item to donate, visit the Wildcat Pantry’s Amazon.com page for ideas. Cash, check, and credit card donations are also encouraged through the CWU Foundation.

“This the third annual Pack the Pantry, and we are hoping it will be bigger than ever,” Smith said. “We're continuing the weekly themes as we've done in the past to help donors come up with things to donate, and it helps us get a great variety of items that will fully stock the pantry.”

The first week of the drive (January 8-12) will focus on non-perishable food items, with an emphasis on cultural foods. Week two (January 15-19) will center around gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan nonperishable food. Week three (January 22-26) will focus on hygiene and household products.

Smith added that the Wildcat Pantry will offer more collection locations than ever before, noting that “almost every academic and professional building on campus has a donation box.” Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:

General Locations:

• SURC Information Desk
• SURC C-Store

President’s Division:

• President's Office, Barge 314

Provost’s Division:

• Provost’s Office, Barge 302
• Library lobby
• International Studies, Hebeler 102

Student Engagement & Success Division:

• Career Services, Bouillon 206
• Diversity & Equity Center, Black Hall

Finance and Administration Division:

• Mitchell Hall, 1st floor
• University Police Office
• Jongeward Lobby
• International 152

College of Arts and Humanities:

• CAH Dean Office, Black 127
• Randall 100
• McIntyre Faculty Lounge

College of the Sciences:

• COTS Dean Office, Dean 130
• Psychology, 4th floor
• Farrell, 3rd floor

College of Business:

• COB Dean Office, Shaw 129

College of Education and Professional Studies:

• CEPS Dean Office, Black 228
• Health Sciences, front lobby

Athletics:

• Nicholson Pavilion 102

The Wildcat Pantry is managed by the CWU President’s Office and staffed by student volunteers. The team, led by Smith, provides volunteer opportunities and community engagement events throughout the year to support food justice causes and fulfill basic needs.

Contributions of all kinds are needed throughout the year to support the organization, and this month’s Pack the Pantry drive is just the beginning of a sustained effort.

To learn more about the program, visit the Pack the Pantry website. You may also email wildcatpantry@cwu.edu.