The Oxford and Lafayette communities have made a push to eradicate hunger by providing for those in need. The University of Mississippi’s Food Bank is one way in which students can receive help.
The UM Food Bank, located in Room 213 Kinard Hall, first opened in November 2012. Senior Jessica Brouckaert, who served as founding co-director for the food bank for two years, said the idea for the food bank originated nearly a year prior to its opening. She said that while she is no longer the director of the food bank, she is still available to help the food bank where needed.
Brouckaert said the food bank has been more than a resource for students; it has also been an example of how students and faculty members can work together to accomplish a goal.
“Starting the food bank was truly a team effort,” Brouckaert said. “It is the best example I have seen of students and faculty working together to better Ole Miss. Leslie Banahan, Bob Cummings, Camp Best and many other faculty and staff members played a key role in helping find a location, securing donations and working to help hungry students before the food bank was opened. Aramark has also played a vital role in creating and sustaining the food bank.”
Senior Christine Dickason currently serves as the student director of the Food Bank, and she also helped in the planning stages.
“I have been involved with the food bank since its beginning planning stages in 2012, before it opened on Nov. 8, 2012,” Dickason said.
Dickason emphasized the volunteer effort behind the operation of the food bank.
“We have several College Corps members who volunteer with us each week,” Dickason said. “In addition to those students, we have a large group of trained volunteers who assist us with staffing the food bank. In order to volunteer with us, individuals must first attend a volunteer training session.Volunteers work in the food bank during open hours: greeting customers, stocking shelves and checking for expired cans. Occasionally, we also need volunteers for special events, such as service organization fairs.”
The UM Food Bank continues to grow by gaining support and recognition. Caroline Loveless, co-director for the Big Event, said the two programs will be partnering for the upcoming One Big Week.
“We are actually highlighting the food bank as one of our ‘service spotlight’ days for One Big Week,” Loveless said. “They will be at the Union pairing with Big Event Tuesday, Nov. 18 in an attempt to raise awareness of the food bank and tell students how they can become involved with the food bank on a regular basis.”
Dickason said the UM Food Bank will also be hosting a food drive the weekend of the Egg Bowl in order to collect more supplies.
“We will be holding our largest fundraiser of the year in the Grove during the Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State game on Nov. 29,” Dickason said. “During the event, called ‘Groving and Giving,’ the food bank will have designated collection sites around the Grove for individuals to donate food as well as monetary donations. We are really excited about this opportunity to replenish the shelves of the food bank before the holidays.”
Brouckaert said she is excited to see how the food bank has progressed since its opening two years ago.
“I am so pleased with the result and honored to have been a part of its creation,” Brouckaert said. “Not only has the food bank provided much needed assistance to Ole Miss students, but it has also raised hunger awareness on our campus.”
Brouckaert said the food bank does not release students’ personal information in order to provide anonymity, and that she hopes to see the UM Food Bank continue to grow in order to better serve students in need.
“I hope to see the food bank offer refrigerated/frozen items and fresh produce at some point,” Brouckaert said. “There are a lot of health codes that make this difficult, but I believe this improvement would be beneficial for food bank patrons.”
The UM Food Bank is open to all university students, regardless of financial status, and stocks food ranging from breakfast items to canned meat and pasta as well as toiletries.
If you wish to donate to the food bank, place nonperishable items and toiletries in the designated containers located throughout campus; a donation bin is typically present in all residence halls as well as the majority of the academic buildings.
The next volunteer training session is scheduled for 6 p.m. Mon. Nov. 17. For further information about the session and for general volunteer inquiries, contact the UM Food Bank at olemissfoodbank.volunteers@gmail.com.
