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Delta Dental Donation Supports Health and Wellness at the Bear Pantry

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The Bear Pantry at Missouri State University is expanding its impact, thanks to a generous in-kind donation from Delta Dental to the MSU Foundation. This thoughtful contribution of oral hygiene products—including dental floss, toothpaste, and toothbrushes—will be distributed through the Bear Pantry to support the health and wellness of our campus community.

CCE Student Specialist, McKennzee Newton, displays donated products.

Access to oral care products is a key component of overall wellness but is often overlooked in conversations about basic needs. By providing these essential hygiene items, Delta Dental is helping the Bear Pantry further its mission of reducing barriers and supporting student success.

“We’re grateful for Delta Dental’s commitment to supporting holistic student wellness,” said Alex Johnson, Director of the Center for Community Engagement. “This donation helps us serve our community more fully and ensures that Bear Pantry guests have access to both nutritious food and critical personal care items.”

The Bear Pantry serves all members of the Missouri State University community, including students, faculty, and staff. Together, with the support of partners like Delta Dental and the MSU Foundation, the Bear Pantry is advancing its mission to meet basic needs and build a stronger, healthier campus community.

For more information on how to donate or get involved with the Bear Pantry, visit https://www.missouristate.edu/CCE/bear-pantry.htm.

 

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

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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!  

Spotlight – FSL Supports the Bear Pantry

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Right before Thanksgiving Break, FSL officially set a new record for our largest donation yet at 2,084 pounds! Many of the donated items were canned goods, along with other non-perishable foods like pasta, peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, and more. This is a great example of what it looks like to be a Citizen Bear!

All of the items in the Bear Pantry are supplied through donations. Big or small, each donation matters! Thank you to FSL and to all of the Bear Pantry’s donors for supporting student success. We are so thankful for each of you! 

5 Ways to Get Involved with the Bear Pantry

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The Bear Pantry on Missouri State’s campus has seen massive growth this school year. From usage of resources to an increased interest in supporting our initiative to end food insecurity read for more information on how you can contribute to our mission:  

1. Volunteer  

  • Sign up to volunteer on GivePulse. Each time slot is 2 hours. Please only sign up for time slots you are able to be present at. Please cancel through GivePulse if no longer able to complete the service opportunity. 
Volunteers repacking hygiene products

2. Host a Donation Drive  

  • Connect with us through email bearpantry@missouristate.edu to let us know when you plan on hosting your drive and how we can support. 
  • Share a list of items to give others ideas of what to donate.  
Food Drive hosted by the Meyer Library

3. Visit our Amazon Wishlist

  • Whether you live on campus or across the country, our Amazon Wishlist is a simple way to donate high-priority food or hygiene products to the pantry.  
Our fridge filled with non-dairy milk options donated by Angie using our Amazon wishlist

4. Monetary Donation through the University’s Foundation  

  • Donations can be given online or through mail to the following address:  
    • Missouri State University Foundation 
      Kenneth E. Meyer Alumni Center 
      300 South Jefferson, Suite 100 
      Springfield, MO 65806
Boomer visiting the Bear Pantry

5. Keep up with the Bear Pantry on Social Media  

Kayla with a produce delivery to the pantry – follow us for exciting updates
Interested in more Information? Reach out via email BearPantry@MissouriState.edu or request a Bear Pantry Staff member to speak at your organization’s next meeting by filling out this form 

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

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November 13-21, 2021 is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. During this week, people come together across the country to bring attention to hunger and homelessness. In the United States, many Americans have to choose between which basic necessities they can afford for that day, week, month. For instance: 

  • 37.2 million Americans live below the poverty level.  
  • 44 million Americans are at risk of suffering from hunger.  
  • 580,000 are homeless on a typical night.
  • 1 in 6 children in the U.S. live in poverty. 

One way to address these issues are by taking action through volunteering! To find opportunities to serve, check out Give Pulse. Through Give Pulse you can find opportunities with the Bear Pantry, Campus Garden (which provides produce to the Bear Pantry), Hands of Hope (with Convoy of Hope), Drew Lewis Foundation, and more! 

Click here for more information in regards to Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

Information from: Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.