RiverHawk Food Pantry helps NSU students

According to the Feeding America organization, one in every six American struggles with hunger; this is why Northeastern State University created a service to supplement its students who are in need of help. Thus, the RiverHawk Food Pantry was created.

The RiverHawk Food Pantry provides free food and personal hygiene products for students who could use it. The pantry has everything a student and their dependents would need to have a balanced diet.

The facility officially opened its doors Sept. 9, 2013 on the NSU-Tahlequah campus. The NSUBA campus followed suite and opened up their pantry in February 2014. The continued success of Northeastern State Universitys RiverHawk Food Pantry shows that every little bit does help.

Both pantries are open to all current NSU students who can shop from them once a week to receive nutritional assistance for themselves and their dependents.

The NSU-Tahlequah pantry is located in the basement of the University Center, and at the NSU-Broken Arrow campus the pantry is in the Administration building. Both sites require students wishing to utilize the pantry to fill out paperwork that is used for internal use only. No personal information regarding the students is released.

Many of the students who visit have dependents that they receive assistance for. The pantry at NSU-Tahlequah has served 83 households and 165 individuals. In the four months that the NSUBA pantry has been open, it has served approximately 15 students to date. Many who use the pantries have returned for assistance.

A secondary project of the RiverHawk Food Pantry in 2013 was NSUs annual Food Basket Frenzy, which provides a basket containing everything needed to prepare a full Thanksgiving meal. Last fall, the pantry provided 80 baskets to students and community members alike.

In January, the pantry created a committee consisting of dedicated student volunteers. This student leadership has provided sustainability, enthusiasm and a greater opportunity for collaboration within the institution and amongst the community.

The RiverHawk Food Pantry at NSU-Tahlequah is open Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and on Fridays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The NSUBA food pantry is open Mondays and Thursdays from 1 5:30 p.m.

The success of the food pantries would not be possible without the assistance of volunteers and donors. Several student organizations, local businesses and many individuals have helped keep these doors open for the students who are in need.

Both pantries require donations to keep this effort afloat. The most needed items are: peanut butter; noodles; rice; canned fruit; canned meats tuna, chicken, salmon, spam; pre-packaged items Ramen, macaroni and cheese, mixed vegetables; and personal hygiene items.

There are donation drop off spots at several locations. If you are looking to donate items at NSU-Tahlequah, there are donation boxes at: the north entrance of the John Vaughan Library, Seminary Hall entrance, first floor of the University Center just outside of the main office, the Housing office in the Leoser Complex, first floor of the CASE building, Science building, the Student Activities office and Greek Affairs and Community Engagement office; both of which are located in the basement of the UC.

The NSUBA donation box are located in each building on campus, as well as in front of the Hawks Nest and Student Affairs offices on both the first and second floor of the Administration building.

For more information or to provide donations, for NSU-Tahlequah please contact Helen Lahrman, Coordinator of Greek Life and Community Engagement at lahrman@nsuok.edu or call 918-444-2644. For NSU-Broken Arrow please contact Jessica Roberts at studentaffairsba@nsuok.edu or call 918-449-6119.