ONE NSU MAGAZINE “But most of our undergraduate students have some kind of financial assistance, whether it’s institutional dollars or Pell Grants. They don’t necessarily have funding for food or healthy food choices. Food insecurity comes in all shapes and sizes. I also think it’s important to note that most of these students have visited the pantry multiple times since it opened.” The pantry is staffed by volunteers and 10 federal workstudy students. Future goals include hiring a full-time staff member, significantly expanding the hours of operation, and relocating the pantry to a bigger space. Currently, the pantry is only open Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Fridays from noon to 4:00 p.m. An unexpected benefit related to the pantry’s existence was revealed by several NSU students, who said the value of the dollar conversion had decreased. “As a result, they get less for their money, so it’s been eye-opening,” Gittleman explained. “Going to class is extremely important. But there’s so much more involved, because we never know what’s happening in someone’s life. We can help them be better students by relieving some of their burdens from a nutritional standpoint. We want them to be able to eat a balanced meal, focus on their studies, and be successful.” ALTRUISTIC OPERATIONAL SYSTEM According to Sherla Cruz de Benoit, Ed.D., graduate catalog specialist and Shark Food Pantry assistant, the NSU Shark Food Pantry relies on a benevolent network of supporters to sustain its success. Monetary donations are received via the NSU GiveCampus website, as well as from faculty and staff members, alumni, and the community. Food donations are received through food drives organized by the Shark Pantry, NSU colleges, student organizations, or from community partners, including Pepsi, Publix, Chartwells, Farm to Fork Meals, the Davie Woman’s Club, Playa Bowls, and Southeastern Grocers, which donated gift cards for use at Winn-Dixie stores and many others. All NSU undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are eligible to shop for up to 10 pounds of food items each week to obtain ingredients for a balanced meal. Students can select from various proteins, such as canned meats, peanut and hazelnut butter, and beans. Additionally, they may select from a variety of canned vegetables, shelf-stable fruit, rice, grains, cereal, and pasta. The Shark Pantry also stocks refrigerated foods, such as frozen fruit and vegetables, frozen meals, milk, eggs, yogurt, and cheese. Students can also shop for up to five toiletries, such as toothpaste, shaving cream, shampoo/conditioner, and toothbrushes, which are not weighed. Consequently, students can include these in their weekly shopping in addition to the 10 pounds of food items. 51
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