Commitment to SOU Students
The SOU Student Food Pantry is committed to providing students with food and other basic necessities to alleviate the effects of hunger and poverty. Through this resource, SOU strives to promote human dignity and increase the likelihood of continued academic success. Students at SOU are invited to visit the Student Food Pantry weekly to assist in their needs.
Food Pantry Access
Visit Belonging and Engagement (SU 312) to check in and access this resource:
- Food assistance is available during all hours that Belonging and Engagement is open: Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm. The Food Pantry is closed on most school holidays and all weekends.
- Students can visit once per week to access up to ten non-perishable food items, occasional perishable items, and an unlimited amount of personal hygiene products.
- From time-to-time there will also be “add-ons” available, such as eggs, produce, pastries, and bread (limited availability).
Have questions or important resources to share? Email foodpantry@sou.edu for more information.
Follow @sou_foodpantry and @soustudentlife on Instagram for ongoing updates about food pantry operations, closures, etc.
Off-Campus Resources
Students facing food insecurity are encouraged to access resources in the community to supplement their nutrition. Here is a short list of food resources students might find useful:
- SNAP: SNAP is a food assistance program that provides monthly benefits to help you pay for food. SNAP is also sometimes referred to as food stamps, EBT, or the Oregon Trail card. Students who attend higher education at least half-time may be eligible for SNAP by meeting income guidelines and additional criteria.
- Raiders Helping Raiders: Assists students who are facing food insecurities or do not have access to food on a regular basis. Complete the form on the link to apply for 3 meals for the month at The Hawk at SOU. Recipients must be an SOU student and be registered for classes.
- ACCESS Food Pantry Network: ACCESS supports 24 emergency food pantries throughout Jackson County. Visit the food pantry network website to find one close to you.
- Food Finder: Use this great tool to help find a pantry near you.
- Ashland Emergency Food Bank: Located at 560 Clover Lane, AEFB provides emergency food supplies, without charge, to individuals and families in the Ashland/Talent area who would otherwise go hungry. For more information and to check current hours please visit their website.
- Explore the Basic Needs Resources page for more information related to food insecurity, financial strain, and more.
Donations and Food Drives
Donations
Donations are welcomed and appreciated at any time of the year! Non-perishable food items can be brought to the Belonging and Engagement office in SU 312.
Monetary donations help sustain the Student Food Pantry; these funds help purchase food items through ACCESS at reduced prices and stock the pantry shelves when food donations are low. If interested, you may contribute a tax-deductible donation through the SOU Foundation. SOU employees can also sign up to contribute a monthly donation through a payroll deduction.
Food Drives
Is your employee group, student club, or organization interested in hosting a food or fundraiser in support of the Student Food Pantry? That’s great! Please contact us at foodpantry@sou.edu to discuss your plan and arrange details with us.
February Food Drive
Every February the SOU community comes together to organize the February Food Drive, working to alleviate hunger on our campus and in our community. Student hunger is real and has painful consequences. A 2018 survey in the Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition found that 43.5% of students face food insecurity during their college careers.
All food and funds raised go directly to support the SOU Student Food Pantry which serves students with unreliable access to food. The food drive is in partnership with the Governor’s State Employee Food Drive of Oregon. Visit the February Food Drive webpage for more information.