[419] MTSU Student food bank seeks help to restock for spring

News and Media Relations contact: Jimmy Hart, 615-898-5131 or Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu

Second MTSU contact: Becca Seul, 615-494-8910 or Becca.Seul@mtsu.edu

MTSU student food bank seeks help to restock for spring

MURFREESBORO — The MTSU Student Food Pantry is in critical need of supplies this spring to ensure that every MTSU student in need is able to have at least one meal a day.

The pantry is located in the University College Advising Center of the McFarland Building. It’s a partnership between the University College Advising Center and the Student Government Association and has served almost 200 students since its inception in October 2012.

“That number continues to grow as students are made aware of the pantry,” said Becca Seul, adviser at the University College Advising Center and manager of the MTSU Food Pantry. “Summer is getting closer, which typically means more students in need on campus.”

Although the initial drive just before the holiday season produced a generous response, help is needed to sustain students throughout the rest of the spring term and into the summer.

“We have lots of canned goods, but are missing most of the stuff that the students tend to take the most,” Seul said.

Seul is encouraging campus classes and organizations to consider food drives this semester as a way of boosting supplies.

While all nonperishable groceries are accepted — a complete list is located on the food pantry website: www.mtsu.edu/foodpantry — there are specific items that the pantry is in need of immediately:

Food items of popcorn, granola bars, crackers, Jell-O or gelatin desserts, pudding cups, snack packs, fruit cups, canned meats and shelf-stable milk.

Also needed are individual beverages: canned, boxed and bottled juices; bottled water and other drinks.

Everything donated in bulk is separated into individual portions so as many people can benefit as possible.

As more students in need of assistance are made aware of the pantry, the demand for supplies has grown.

“Any active, currently enrolled student can come and access the food pantry,” said Seul. “They don’t have to be referred to us."

However, Seul emphasizes that the pantry is not a grocery store, but instead is a place where a student who is struggling with hunger can find a meal.

Donations can be made directly to the pantry, which is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information or if you are an MTSU student who is in need of assistance, contact Seul at 615-494-8910 or Becca.Seul@mtsu.edu or visit the pantry's website at http://www.mtsu.edu/foodpantry/.

About MTSU

Founded in 1911 as one of three state normal schools for teacher training, MTSU is now the oldest and largest public university in Middle Tennessee. With an enrollment of more than 25,000 students, MTSU is the largest undergraduate university in Tennessee.

MTSU remains committed to providing individualized service in an exciting and nurturing atmosphere where student success is the top priority. With a wide variety of nationally recognized academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels, MTSU takes pride in educating the best and the brightest students from Tennessee and around the world.

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