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November Blog Post – Donation Drives

November 1, 2024 by Samantha G. Selsor

Happy November!

The fall semester seems to be flying by (and with fall comes lots of donation drives). What is a donation drive? It is an event where individuals and groups (such as student organizations) donate money or non-perishable goods to non-profits (like the Bear Pantry).

Homecoming Donation Drive 

We just had a successful MSU Homecoming Donation Drive in which student organizations provided over 23,228 pounds of food (non-perishable items) for the Bear Pantry and Ozarks Food Harvest! That equates to more than 19,000 meals. This would not have been possible without the generosity of the student organizations and donors. These items will benefit so many people both on campus and throughout the community—the pantry is well-stocked and ready for members to shop.

Upcoming Donation Drives

Didn’t get to participate in the fun of the Homecoming Donation Drive? Good news! We have more drives coming up throughout the rest of the semester!

Mager’s Health and Wellness Center Spice Drive

  • Date(s): November 4th-22nd
  • Items Accepted: Standard size spice containers (i.e., no Sam’s Club or Costco sizes) of any spices.
    • Pantry member requests:
      • Clover
      • Curry Powder
      • Garam Masala
      • Ground All Spice
      • Ground Nutmeg
      • Ground Turmeric
      • Ground Ginger
      • Peppercorn Grinder (Medley)
      • Ground Cinnamon
      • Mustard Seed
      • Ground Coriander
      • Garlic Powder
      • Onion Powder
  • Location: Mager’s Health and Wellness Center
  • Additional Information: All spices to be taken to Mager’s Health and Wellness Center. Bins will be designated for the drive. All products will benefit the Bear Pantry.

Eta Sigma Delta and Culinary/Baking Club 

  • Date(s): November 11th – 22nd   
  • Location: Bins in Karls Hall and Pummill Hall 
  • Items Accepted:  
    • Pastas (including gluten-free) 
    • Pasta sauce 
    • Canned soups 
    • Canned vegetables and fruit 
    • Canned or dried beans 
    • Peanut butter and jelly 
    • Canned tuna and chicken 
    • Snack items (chips, trail mix, granola bars) 
    • Personal Hygiene items: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
    • Feminine hygiene products 
    • Paper products: paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, paper plates, etc. 
    • Household items (detergent, soap, etc.) 
  • Additional Information: Bins will be located in two campus halls (Karls and Pummill). Donations accepted any time during the dates specified above. All donations will benefit the Bear Pantry.

MSU Campus Garden Hygiene Item Drive

  • Dates: November 11th – 22nd
  • Location: Bear Pantry and MSU Campus Garden
  • Items Accepted
    • Shampoo
    • Conditioner
    • Bar Soap
    • Body Wash
    • Razors
    • Shaving Cream
    • Deodorant
    • Toothbrushes
    • Toothpaste
    • Mouthwash
    • Floss
    • Feminine Hygiene Items
      • Pads
      • Liners
      • Tampons

Donation Bins 

  • Date(s): Anytime throughout the school year 
  • Items Accepted: 
    • Pastas (including gluten-free) 
    • Pasta sauce 
    • Canned soups 
    • Canned vegetables and fruit 
    • Canned or dried beans 
    • Peanut butter and jelly 
    • Canned tuna and chicken 
    • Snack items (chips, trail mix, granola bars) 
    • Personal Hygiene items: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
    • Feminine hygiene products 
    • Paper products: paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, paper plates, etc. 
    • Household items (detergent, soap, etc.) 
  • Location of Bins:
    • Cheek Hall (at information services, Cheek 164)  
    • Carrington Hall (at financial aid, Carrington 101)  
    • Blunt Hall (CNAS, Blunt 142) 
    • Foster Recreation Center (FRC main entrance)  
    • Meyer Library (veterans services, Meyer 108)  
    • Strong Hall (RCASH student success center, Strong 350)  
    • Glass Hall (information technology and cybersecurity, finance dept; Glass 359 and 300)  
    • MCHHS (KMPT 300 and 400; MCD 103) 
    • In late October – Greenwood Lab School (north entrance)  
  • Additional Information: Donation bins are always available for donation of non-perishable items throughout the semester and are checked periodically by pantry staff. 

Important Dates  

  • SNAP Tabling (November 14th, 2024, 10am-12pm) 
    • SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Education with MU Extension  
      • The Bear Pantry has a  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 in the Bear Pantry to learn more about this helpful program! This month’s event is scheduled for Thursday, November 14th from 10AM-12PM. 
  • Thanksgiving Break (November 25th-29th)  
    • Bear Pantry closed—enjoy your break with friends and family (and good food)! 

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  

 

***If you would like to participate in a donation drive (or have a donation that you would like to make separate from the drives listed above), please contact Samantha Selsor (sgs823@live.missouristate.edu) with questions. 

Filed Under: donation, Volunteer Tagged With: Bear Pantry, Community Engagement

Ozarks Food Harvest – Hope Notes

October 2, 2024 by Samantha G. Selsor

Bear Pantry is partnering with Ozarks Food Harvest (OFH) to offer a new volunteer opportunity!

OFH is a local food bank that offers programs including:

  • Senior Boxes
  • Weekend Backpack Program
  • Mobile Food Pantry

One of the large programs offered is the Weekend Backpack Program, which provides elementary school-aged children with supplemental non-perishable goods to last all weekend. Within this program, they include a Hope Note in each of the packs so children have a little note of encouragement each time they receive their food.

OFH has a goal of reaching 70,000 Hope Notes to ensure that every child receives a note in their pack. This is where MSU students have the opportunity to help!

We are now offering a new volunteer opportunity to help create Hope Notes for OFH. So grab some friends and get your creative juices flowing—we’ll provide the materials, you provide the creativity!

Instructions:
  1. Contact Samantha Selsor (sgs823@live.missouristate.edu) to inquire about Hope Notes, including the number of students in your group (and any additional information you deem necessary).
  2. Schedule a time to come by the Bear Pantry to pick-up supplies (kits as pictured above include colored cardstock, stickers, crayons, markers, and colored pencils).
  3. Host your Hope Note making event! (If your group requires meeting space, we can schedule that in the PSU, please include this information in the initial email to Samantha).
  4. Bring all supplies and completed notes to the Bear Pantry—we will take care of delivery to OFH.

And that’s it! This is a great option for students who would like to volunteer with the Bear Pantry, yet can’t make it to events or have a large group (sorority, fraternity, or student organization) needing a fun activity.

We look forward to seeing the notes created and impact made in children’s lives!

Filed Under: Volunteer Tagged With: Bear Pantry, Community Engagement

October Blog Post – Bear Pantry

October 1, 2024 by Samantha G. Selsor

Happy Fall Bears!

We are officially in the swing of the semester (7 weeks in—can you believe it?). Hope everyone has had a great start to the fall semester and are excited for the coming weeks.

We’ve been busy here in the Bear Pantry and have so many updates!

Exciting Updates

Due to increased popularity and listening to student feedback, we are beginning to stock more grab-and-go snack foods. Additionally, we are trialing an additional restock day of pantry staples!

Bear Pantry “pop-ups” are in the works as well! Right now, we have established the Bear Cub Pantry located in the Bear Claw in Meyer Library. Stop by there if you need a quick study snack!

Important Dates

  • Fall Break (October 10th and 11th): Bear Pantry closed for the long weekend.
  • Homecoming (October 13th-19th): Yay Homecoming! Be sure to check out the homecoming activities and get involved! Bear Pantry is participating in the Donation Drive (see below).
  • SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Tabling (October 17th): We had a great turnout for our first two MU Extension SNAP tabling events. If you haven’t been able to make it, check out additional information provided below.

Homecoming Donation Drive

There are many traditions related to Homecoming, but the Donation Drive is my favorite! This year’s donation drive will benefit both the Center for Community Engagement (Bear Pantry) and Multicultural Resource Center (MSU’s Transition Closet). 

For the Bear Pantry, this is a canned food drive, and the weight of canned goods donated will correspond to the number of points received.  

Specific guidelines for acceptable donation items can be found within the Student Engagement Homecoming 2024 document.  

Items needed:  

  • Canned pasta sauce 
  • Canned soups 
  • Canned vegetables 
  • Canned beans 
  • Canned fruit
  • Canned tuna 
  • Canned chicken 
  • And any other foods in a can!

 The drive starts on Monday, October 14th at 1pm and ends Friday, October 18th at 2pm. Donations are accepted from 1pm-2pm each day! We are eagerly anticipating this event! 

MU Extension X Bear Pantry

We have an exciting partnership 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 to learn more about this helpful program! 

Event details: Thursday, October 17th from 10AM-12PM in the Bear Pantry 

Volunteer Events

We have experienced successful volunteer events over the last few weeks and are looking for more ways to get students involved! This month, you can get involved by volunteering in the following events:  

  • Mondays: delivery and pickup days from Ozarks Food Harvest (OFH)  
    • 8:30-10:30am for delivery days  
    • 11am-1pm for pick-up days (time subject to change due to pick-up time availability)
  • Tuesday: hydroponics harvesting (dates TBD) 
    • 8-9am 
  • 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month: campus-wide donation bin collection  
    • 12-1pm 

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

Dietetic Interns

Did you know that Bear Pantry hosts MSU Dietetic Interns? Last month, we had Natalie Clayton and Chloe Terry come on their MSU week-long rotation. They created recipes and provided samples for members utilizing foods available in the pantry.  

Nutrition Corner

As a Nutrition and Dietetics student, nutrition is my passion! Nutrition Corner is our new digital platform for all things recipes, nutrition education information, how-to’s with products in the pantry, and everything in between! These recipes are tailored to ingredients that can be found in the pantry. Follow the link in our LinkTree to find the Nutrition Corner album. 

Always exciting here at the Bear Pantry! Come stop by and say hi! Do not 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 

Filed Under: donation, Volunteer Tagged With: Bear Pantry, Community Engagement

September Blog Post – Welcome Back!

September 2, 2024 by Samantha G. Selsor

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  

 

Filed Under: Volunteer Tagged With: Bear Pantry, Community Engagement

Service Events!

October 20, 2023 by Hollie S. Bickel

Hey Bears!

We have a couple upcoming volunteering activities! You can register via GivePulse.

Saturday, October 21st 9:30-11:30- Gardening @ Victory’s Shelter

Special Events Volunteer @ The Discovery Center

Volunteer @ The Salvation Army

Victim Center Advocate @ The Victim Center

Front Desk Volunteer @ The Kitchen Inc.

Saturday November 11th- Ruck N Run Bear Service Day @6:15 AM (QR code below

Image preview

 

Filed Under: donation, Volunteer Tagged With: Service Learning

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