“At least 50 students come in throughout the day, and the demand has increased, especially over the past few semesters,” she said. “A lot of people forgot about the pantry, or new students weren’t aware. We’re working hard to create more awareness on campus.”
While many students benefit from the pantry, graduate students, particularly those with families, tend to rely on it the most. They are often facing additional financial pressures and are more informed about available resources on campus.
“A lot of grad students use the food pantry, especially those with families,” Phillips said. “They’re paying a lot for school and often do more research into resources like this.”
The pantry relies on donations from local businesses such as Rosauers, Safeway, WinCo, and WSU Farms. Despite the generosity, keeping a steady supply of food and other necessities remains a challenge.
“Money is always helpful,” Phillips explained. “We’re constantly pouring resources into the pantry, and more donations would be super helpful as more students come.”
Phillips emphasized that community members can get involved by donating food, hosting fundraisers, or volunteering their time. The pantry’s long–term goal is to tackle food insecurity from the root, making sure students can focus on their studies without worrying about their next meal.
“Our long–term goal is to address food insecurity upstream,” Phillips said. “We want to make sure students are alleviated of the stress of wondering where their next meal will come from because school is already hard enough.”
Although Phillips doesn’t always hear the personal stories of those who visit the pantry, she knows it is making a difference, especially for student families.
“I see a lot of parents coming in, and we’ve had a lot of diaper donations,” she shared. “I didn’t realize how many kids we had on campus, but the diapers go out fast. It’s helping a lot of families.”
As the WSU food pantry continues to grow, so does its impact. Students, whether they’re juggling homework or parenting, can feel supported knowing that this resource is there for them.
For those interested in donating or learning more, the pantry is located on the first floor of the CUB, or you can visit their website to get involved.
