RiverHawk Food Pantry continues to serve local communities

The RiverHawk Food Pantry is currently in its second year of operations, and according to Helen Lahrman, coordinator of Greek Life & Community Engagement and overseer of the Pantry, it has been a huge asset to those in need in the NSU community.

The Pantry, which is 132 square feet with six heavy-duty shelving units, holds on average, 10,000 pounds of non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products.

Those goods are available to any current NSU student. There are two Pantry locations- the basement of the University Center in Tahlequah and suite 211 of the Administrative Services Building on the Broken Arrow campus.

Both locations are open on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There are also numerous donation drop-off locations on both campuses.

We called for donations several times during the last year, and we received a substantial amount of items from our different campuses, Lahrman said.

During 2014 the Pantry served 170 families, 345 individuals and averaged aiding 40 people weekly.

Although stocks were sufficient last year, Lahrman expressed that having extra and a fund to purchase items that were not donated would be a major help.

For those considering donating, Lahrman said shared the following facts:

• $10 will provide a day of means for a family of four.
• $35 will provide one week of nutrition for an individual.
• $60 will feed a family of four, three meals a day for an entire week.

Items most needed include peanut butter, noodles, rice, canned fruit, canned meats including tuna, chicken, salmon, and spam, pre-packaged items like ramen, mac and cheese, mixed vegetables, personal hygiene items, laundry soap, household cleaning items and paper products such as toilet paper, paper towels and tissues.

The Alumni Association recently created a web portal where those who cannot donate goods in person can donate monetarily. Visit the RiverHawk Food Pantry donation site.

For more information about the RiverHawk Food Pantry contact Helen Lahrman at lahrman@nsuok.edu or 918-444-2644.