Community Engagement Blog

How we do community engagement at Missouri State

Home » Food assistance

Protein at the Bear Pantry

by

Protein is the nutrient that we use to build and repair cells throughout our entire body—our muscles, hair, skin, nails, and even our metabolism and hormones are all influenced by protein. 

Not only does protein play these important roles inside cells, but it also helps us in our day-to-day hunger. Protein aids in satiety, which means we feel fuller for longer from our meals. Especially for those of us who are on a limited budget for food, feeling less hungry & staying satisfied from our meals is so important! 

The Bear Pantry offers many protein-rich foods to help you get what your body needs, including:  

Animal sources 

  • Milk
  • Yogurt
  • Cheese 
  • Eggs 
  • Canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon, sausage) 
  • Spam 
  • Beef ravioli 

Plant sources 

  • Beans (black, kidney, lentils, red, white, chickpeas) 
  • Nut butters 
  • Nuts and trail mix 
  • Grains: quinoa, farro 

Here are 3 tips to help get enough protein in your day: 

  1. Whatever the source, try to include a protein source with every meal in some way. Having scrambled eggs with cheese for breakfast, putting canned meat or cheese in a sandwich, eating yogurt with your fruit, and adding milk as an ingredient (or a drink on the side) are all easy ways to up your protein.
  2. Animal proteins (meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs) typically pack more punch when it comes to protein content. Our bodies can use that protein very efficiently. If you aren’t a vegetarian or vegan, incorporating animal protein is a great way to get in your protein each day.
  3. At first glance, a lot of non-animal products might not seem to have as much protein—but combining two of them in a meal helps to boost that number and creates complementary proteins. Pairing complementary proteins provides all the essential building blocks your body needs to be a full and nutritious protein source. It’s a win-win! 
    • Some common combinations are rice and beans, hummus and bread, peanut butter on whole grain crackers, and soup with lentils and noodles. 

 Bear Pantry is here to help you meet your protein needs, stay strong, and keep you feeling full and satisfied! Our current hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10am-3pm, and Wednesday from 12pm-5pm. Come see us to find out more and stock up for the week.

3 Ways to Use & Support the Bear Pantry during Flu Season

by

The cold, dry air may weaken immune responses and encourage the spread of viruses; however, here are three contactless ways to support or utilize the pantry during the winter months.  

1. Online Ordering for Easy Access  

At the Bear Pantry, we offer two methods for shopping: in-person and online ordering  

If you aren’t feeling well but are still in need of items from the pantry, fill out this form to place an online order and schedule a pick-up time. 

You can even message our pantry number (417-986-1915) to let us know when you arrive, and a staff member will bring your items to the parking lot outside of University Hall for a simple and safe experience.  

2. Check out our Amazon Wishlist 

Interested in donating to the Bear Pantry, but stuck at home in quarantine? Pick an item from our Amazon Wishlist to purchase and donate. This simple action can easily take an item from your cart to the pantry shelves.  

3. Interact with the Bear Pantry on our social media platforms  

Stay up to date with the latest news at the Bear Pantry and Center for Community Engagement by following along on our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages. Share posts and links from our pages with friends, fellow students, faculty, or staff to spread the word about the pantry.  

Instagram: @mostatebearpantry

Facebook: MSU Bear Pantry

Twitter: @MSU_bearpantry

2 Opportunities to Reduce Food-Insecurity within the Missouri State Community

by

1. AmeriCorps at Missouri State University  

A new AmeriCorps Program – R.E.L.I.E.F.  (Recovering from Covid-19 through Education, Local partnerships, Interdisciplinary Efforts, and Food assistance) – will be launching in Spring 2022 on MSU’s campus.  

Housed within the Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning departments, 10 AmeriCorps positions are open for anyone 17 years of age or older. 

Why serve with AmeriCorps at Missouri State University?  

This position will support the Bear Pantry at MSU with the goal of making healthy food accessible to the MSU community.  

A few responsibilities of this position include: 

  • Developing monthly healthy lifestyle and nutrition workshops 
  • Conducting real-time needs assessments  
  • Assisting in the pantry’s coordination, expansion, and sustainability in the Missouri State University campus and in the greater Springfield community 

What does the AmeriCorps position offer?  

Education award, disaster relief training, and a monthly living allowance with 30 working hours per week.  

Who is eligible to become an AmeriCorps member?  

To serve with AmeriCorps, applicants must be:  

  • 17 years old or older 
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident  
  • Able to commit to 30 hours/week from February 1, 2022 to July 31, 2022 

How to apply for AmeriCorps at Missouri State University?  

Email your resume and cover letter to AlexJohnson@MissouriState.edu  

2. Student Leadership at the Bear Pantry  

Not Sure that AmeriCorps is for you, but still interested in involvement with the Bear Pantry?  

The Bear Pantry is adding new student leadership positions in the spring semester. Undergraduate students enrolled at MSU are eligible to join the BP Team. Fill out this quick form and a Bear Pantry staff member will be in contact with you in January 2022!  

Bear Pantry continues to support MSU community

by

The Bear Pantry is one way the University is working to combat students’ and employees’ need for sustainable access to nutritional foods.

Like the rest of campus, the Bear Pantry is taking steps to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and keep the Missouri State community safe and healthy. The following changes will be made in the Bear Pantry starting March 22nd.

Logo for the Center for Community Engagement Bear Pantry
The Bear Pantry is located in Meyer Library 211, open Mondays and Tuesdays 10-3

Order food online

In order to maintain a sense of dignity and provide customer choice while also adhering to social distancing protocols, the Bear Pantry has moved to an online order form until further notice.  This means we are suspending in-person shopping until further notice.

New Location and Hours

The Bear Pantry is now located in Meyer Library 211, and will be open Mondays and Tuesdays from 10a.m. until 3p.m.

Steps for using the Bear Pantry

  1. Fill out a First Time User Form if you have not used the Bear Pantry before.
  2. Fill out an Online Shopping Form to choose food and hygiene items. These will be packaged by a Bear Pantry staff member and available for pick up.
  3. Pick up your order from Meyer Library 211 during Bear Pantry hours of operation.
  4. Be sure to bring your BearPass ID.

The Bear Pantry is committed to serving fellow Bears!  Follow us on social media for updates. Please contact BearPantry@missouristate.edu with questions.