Combatting Food Insecurity at ISU with the School Street Food Pantry

Photo Courtesy School Street Food Pantry Facebook Page.

NORMAL, Ill. – The School Street Food Pantry is an on-campus resource not many students are aware of. 

School Street Food Pantry Communication and Marketing Coordinator, Megan Koch says food insecurity is a big problem on campus.

The pantry provides free access to food to students who sign up using a form posted to their Facebook page. The Pantry is also open to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College and Lincoln College students. 

The pantry is open on Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for students with valid college IDs. Students are free to fill a canvas bag with whatever the pantry has available. 

According to their website, food available includes nonperishable items including breakfast items, canned vegetables, and fruits. Along with canned soups, pasta, sauces, amongst many other items. They also provide perishable items like dairy products, fresh produce and frozen foods.

The pantry provides more resources to students in need than just food, says Koch.

“In addition to food there is toiletries, we’ve got a shelf of cook books and how-to books”, she said. 

Their website also has resources for how to prepare certain foods as well as other helpful information. 

“We also help students connect to other resources in town, we’ve got flyers and information for free clinics, other pantries in the community, and how to secure snap funding for students who qualify”, Koch said. 

But, like all food pantries, the School Street Food Pantry is dependent on donations from the public.

“For folks who would like to bring by food donations, they are open and accepting donations Monday through Friday 9 AM to Noon and 1 PM to 4”, Koch said. “To drop off food, go to the south door, the one that faces the library, and you can drop off the food just inside the door.”