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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 

Happy World Kindness Day 2017!

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World Kindness Day was first introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement. Since then, it has been observed on November 13th every year by dozens of countries. The mission of this day is promoting a Kinder World. Here in the Center for Community Engagement, we strive every day to promote positive social change and develop students who are “active citizens of enhanced character, sensitive to the needs of the community, competent and committed to their ability to contribute to a global society.”

Members of our office are individuals who promote this mission through their work, words, and actions. Here is what Kindness means to some of them.

“Kindness to me means having a disposition that shows that you have a concern for others. I think a society requires it to move forward in a positive way.”

-Charlie Whitaker, Project Coordinator-Media and Communication, CASL

“Appreciating others and showing love and respect.”

-Alex Johnson, Director of Community Involvement and Service

“Kindness to me means making a concerted effort to think of others in the way we act and use our words. We must show empathy. Kindness without empathy is an empty promise to make the world better.”

-Katy Warfield, Student Coordinator for Special Projects, CIS

“Caring about someone, doing something, having empathy, listening, and understanding. It’s all these things. It’s not a handout, but rather a hand up. It’s thinking of ways to make a positive impact and make a difference.”

-Dr. Kathy Nordyke, Director of Citizenship and Service-Learning

Sharing compassionate words. Serving at your local community garden. Adopting a family for the holidays. Recycling rather than trashing. Giving a smile to someone who needs it. Kindness has many forms and is not just for one day. Spread kindness & love every day and you may start to see some changes.

Now, what does Kindness mean to you?

Cold Weather Drive Partnership

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Starting Monday, October 23rd through Friday, November 3rd there is an opportunity for MSU faculty, staff, students, and Springfield community members to donate cold weather clothing to provide for our community. As temperatures drop, warm clothing becomes more and more essential to the lives of those experiencing homelessness or living in low-income households.

Burrell Behavioral Health’s ERE/CMHL departments are partnering with local law enforcement to provide warmth for the community. Donation items will be collected and formed into kits for law enforcement officers to provide to homeless and low-income individuals.

Donation items include: socks, gloves, scarves, hats, blankets, and coats. Donations can be dropped off at Strong Hall 108 and Park Central Office Building on the first floor.