Hello and welcome to the Fall 2024 semester!

Allow me to introduce myself and tell you about some upcoming events and volunteer opportunities at the Bear Pantry!

My name is Samantha Selsor, and I am a second-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and a graduate assistant with the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) overseeing the Bear Pantry. To say that I am excited to serve our student community in this role is an understatement! 

What is the MSU Bear Pantry? 

The Bear Pantry is a resource available to every MSU student, faculty, and staff members. 

How to Use the Bear Pantry?

Using the Bear Pantry is super easy! All you have to do is: 

1. Complete a membership form. 
2. Show your Bear Pass ID to check in. 
3. Grab a basket. 
4. Take what you need. 
5. Check out. 
6. Bag your items. 
7. Come back when you have a need! 

Volunteer Events with Bear Pantry

Volunteering with the Bear Pantry is a great way to get some volunteer hours and give back to others. This semester, we will have regular volunteer opportunities throughout the week: 

• Mondays: delivery and pickup days from Ozarks Food Harvest (OFH) 
  • 8:30-10:30am for delivery days 
  • 11am-1pm for pick-up days 
• Wednesdays: hydroponics harvesting (dates TBD)
  • 3-4pm
• 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month: campus-wide donation bin collection 
  • 12-1pm
• Once a month: OFH Hope Note writing
  • Time TBD 
  • Great opportunity for organizations and large groups!

Be sure to check our GivePulse for new events and sign up for volunteering. Details provided for each volunteer event on the website. Link to GivePulse: https://www.givepulse.com/group/119561-Bear-Pantry  

How to Donate

We get lots of questions regarding how to donate to the Bear Pantry and (luckily) there are many ways to do this! 

• Online: Check out our website (https://www.missouristate.edu/CCE/bear-pantry.htm) to make a monetary donation. (Located under: “gift your support – make a donation”). 
• On campus: We have donation bins scattered across campus to make donating non-perishable goods to the pantry easy. Bins are located everywhere, including in front of the Bear Pantry, Magers Health and Wellness Center, Foster Recreation Center, Meyer Library, Blunt Hall, and more! Keep an eye out for black colored tubs with Bear Pantry stickers and signs on them. 
• Donation Drives: Throughout the school year, there will be many donation drives to be part of, such as Homecoming and Giving Day. Stay tuned for details about these opportunities! 
  • The first donation drive of the fall semester is Family Weekend (September 27-29, 2024). More information available here:
    https://www.missouristate.edu/BearsFamilies/familyweekend.htm

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Education with MU Extension

The Bear Pantry has an exciting new partnership starting with MU Extension to bring SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and resources to our students. Each month, we will have a Nutrition Program Associate from MU Extension tabling to provide resources to students regarding SNAP benefits (including application assistance)! 

Join us monthly in the CCE suite or Bear Pantry to learn more about this helpful program! This month’s event is scheduled for Thursday, September 26th from 10AM-12PM. 

 

Whew! That’s a lot of updates! Feel free to stop by the Bear Pantry whenever you need or just to say hello. Don’t forget to follow us on social media! 

• Instagram: @mostatebearpantry & @mostatecce 
• TikTok: @bearpantry 
• Like us on Facebook: Bear Pantry  
• YouTube: @mostatebearpantry  
• LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bearpantrymsu