Bluefield State University partners with Food Lion for food pantry expansion
Food Lion’s Food Lion Feeds initiative allowed the university to host a grand reopening for its expanded food pantry, which has grown into a hub for food and other resources to help students stay on track with their education.
Bluefield State University recently held a grand reopening for its newly expanded, renovated, and relocated food pantry thanks to its partnership with Food Lion’s Food Lion Feeds initiative. The partnership initially involved Food Lion providing gift cards to help stock the student food pantry, but has since evolved to the grocery chain providing large shipments of food to stock the shelves, which it plans to do once every semester.
According to an article on Bluefield State University’s website, Darrin Martin, who serves as the university’s president, was quoted as saying about the impact the partnership will have, “This is about more than a pantry. It is about making sure our students have what they need to succeed. When we remove barriers like food insecurity, we are giving our students the opportunity to focus on their education and their future. We are grateful to Food Lion and to all who stepped forward, including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, to support the Big Blue community.”
In addition to Food Lion’s commitment to helping supply the food pantry for all students in need, members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, as well as other groups of students and alumni, donated to the cause in the form of food and other essential items.
Anne Pelchar, who serves as the university’s Director of Student Activities, said, “The Food Lion Feeds program is really important to Bluefield State students facing food insecurity. Many of our students, including first-generation college students, face financial challenges. This partnership, along with the generosity of organizations like Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, allows us to better meet their needs and expand how we serve our campus community.”
The newly relocated food pantry is now near the Student Center game room. The new space is larger, allowing for more capacity to serve more students in need. An additional benefit to the partnership with Food Lion Feeds is that the Student Government Association, which formerly focused its efforts on collecting food to supply the pantry, is now freed up to work on other student resources that will assist in keeping students in school and able to pursue their education.
For more information about Bluefield State University, visit the school’s website.