The Bear Pantry, created in 2019, exists to support students’ basic needs and combat food insecurity on campus. Last year, the pantry consistently served an estimated 1,200 households and distributed more than 50,000 pounds of food.
Missouri State University’s Enrollment Management (EM) team is sponsoring a donation drive to provide support to Bear Pantry’s initiative and the campus community that may be facing food insecurity. EM is challenging fellow campus offices, departments, and organizations to donate food and/or funding to the Bear Pantry between November 7th through December 12th. All members of campus are welcomed and encouraged to participate: Every Bear from Every Where.
How to Participate
- Donate funds directly to the Bear Pantry through our crowd funding page. Be sure to include what organization you are affiliated with or are donating on behalf of to ensure that credit is awarded. See below for more information.
- $1 = 5 pounds of food
- Donate foods directly to the Bear Pantry.
- Donations accepted at Bear Pantry (PSU 140) during business hours (see hours here) Be sure to let a team member know which department you work for to receive credit!
How does my team win?
To win, your organization must donate the most food per person. For example, if two teams both donate 100 pounds of food (or the equivelant with consideration to financial donations) and Team A has 10 team members and Team B has 20, Team A will win.
- Team A: 100 pounds = 10 pounds per person x 10 people
- Team B: 100 pounds = 5 pounds per person x 20 people
The winning organization will be announced prior to winter break, with an award presented during the Staff Award Luncheon on January 7, 2026.
What can I donate?
The Bear Pantry accepts many items for donation. Shelf stable items like canned and dried goods, or herbs and spices; even perishable items like fresh produce, eggs, and dairy products. You can also donate general household items like cleaning supplies, paper goods, hygiene items, etc. See the donation guide below for more ideas!
Spice and Seasoning Ideas
Let’s show everyone that Bears Can-Do Food Drives!
Special Considerations for Monetary Donations
In order for an organization, office, or department to receive credit, the donor will need to indicate which area they are donating on behalf of. Be sure to write the full name of the organization without any abbreviations to prevent miscrediting.
| Students | Faculty and Staff | For Alumni, Parents, or Friends of the University |
| For students donating on behalf of a student organization. Answer the “How are you affiliated questions” with Student and Current Student. A textbox will appear for you to include what organization(s) you are donating on behalf of. | To donate on behalf of your office or department, respond that you are a staff or faculty member to both “affiliation” questions. When you select that you are either a faculty or staff member on the second question, a textbox will appear for you to include the name of your office or department. | Answer the affiliation questions as appropriate, and then indicate that you are donating in honor of an organization. Here you may enter in your desired organizations title.
If you are not donating on behalf of a specific organization or office, simply write “N/A” in the description. |
Contact donation drive coordinator, Hannah Smith, with any questions: HannahSmith@MissouriState.edu.