NSU, KJRH partner for Stuff the Bus summer program - May 15

TULSA, Okla. — Northeastern State University and KJRH Channel 2 News, are partnering to “Stuff the Bus” in order to gather non-perishable food donations for the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma on May 15 to ensure children in eastern Oklahoma have food readily available during summer break.

According to Dr. Katy Fuller, assistant professor for the NSU Department of Nutritional Sciences, 14.5% of Oklahomans struggle with food insecurity. She said food insecurity happens when people do not have access to enough food and is often found in conjunction with nutritional insecurity as well.

“This is the Department of Nutritional Science’s first year to help with Stuff the Bus,” Fuller said. “Oklahoma is one of five states in the United States that is above the 14% mark. Volunteering at an event like this gives us an opportunity to interact with the community and enrich the lives of others.”

Fuller said college students can also face food insecurity at a higher rate than the general U.S. population. NSU campus resources like Rowdy’s Resource Room are available on all three campuses, providing non-perishable food, clothing and school supplies for those in need.

“It is known that hunger among college students can lead to poor academic performance and increased dropout rates,” Fuller said. “Many college students will skip meals when food isn’t accessible. We must do more to help our students who are struggling with hunger and having a food pantry on our campuses helps with that.”

Fuller said students who come from low income families and live away from campus and work while attending school can face additional resource challenges. These factors lead to food insecurity, creating additional stress for students.

“It is important for the institution to be involved in events like this and provide resources for students and the surrounding communities,” NSU President Rodney Hanley, said. “Food insecurity is a serious issue in Oklahoma and it also affects our students. We must do our part to combat the issue and bring awareness.”

Fuller, along with Dr. Jessica Martin, Dean of the College of Science & Health Professions and Dr. Sydney Dorrough, Associate Dean of the Gregg Wadley College of Science & Health Professions will be representing NSU at the Stuff the Bus Food Drive on May 15 from 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the KJRH studio located at 3701 S. Peoria Ave. in Tulsa.

Rowdy’s Resource Room

Formerly known as the RiverHawk Food Pantry, Rowdy’s Resource Room was started in 2014 on the Tahlequah campus. In 2017 it was rebranded and is now an available resource on all three NSU campuses. RRR provides non-perishable food, clothing and school supplies for students. Students fill out a form for documentation which is reported back to the Food Bank of Oklahoma who provides the food donations.

For more information on resources or to give back to RRR, visit https://offices.nsuok.edu/engagement/CommunityEngagement/RowdysResourceRoom/default.aspx.

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