PULLMAN – It is unclear whether the government shutdown has caused resources on campus, such as Rosario’s Place and the TRIO Food Pantry, to run low on food. However, they have noticed more people needing food assistance since the beginning of the semester.
By looking at the almost bare shelves, you can tell several students have came into the resource centers for food. The centers supply canned foods, pastas, cereal and snacks for WSU students.
“It used to be that we’d have a couple people a week taking food and now it’s everyday and that’s been true for a while now. Since mid-January, which is not really long, we’ve run through a great deal of food,” said Jennifer Murray, program coordinator for the Women’s Resource Center.
When Rosario’s Place is running low on food, Jennifer Murray said she worries those in need won’t take food because others may need it more.
“There’s a lot of really great folks out there,” said Murray, “and they don’t want someone else to go hungry if they feel like they’ll be okay and someone else might not be.”
Rosario’s Place is not the only location on campus running low on food. The TRIO Food Pantry also noticed more people coming in.
“As I’ve come in here, I have noticed our food pantry getting low on food,” said Nancy Barraza, a clerical assistant for TRIO Support Services.
Barraza also said the pantry has had a total of 80 students come in this past month compared to an average of 30 to 40 students per month during the fall.
Both campus resource centers have a no questions asked policy meaning students remain anonymous and are not obligated to explain their situation. The centers say they know it is hard for people to ask for help, but encourage people to do so.
People looking to donate to Rosario’s Place can contact the Women’s Resource Center at www.women.wsu.edu to set up an appointment or can drop off donations anytime Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Wilson Short at the Women’s Resource Center on campus.
The community can also donate to the TRIO Food Pantry by dropping off donations at Lighty 260, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
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