Benny's Pantry Needs Your Help to Support Increased Number of Students

Every Monday morning, mother and daughter Kristen and Danielle pick up about 400 pounds of food from local grocery stores Smith’s and Fred Meyer. They then deliver this food to Benny’s Pantry, Idaho State University’s food pantry for students. This food has been crucial in helping feed the increasing number of students relying on Benny’s Pantry to meet their needs, but the pantry does much more than provide food for needy folks. 

Lesa Crawford, student care and assistance coordinator who oversees Benny’s Pantry, says that the pantry fills a crucial role in allowing students in need to be able to achieve their educational goals. 

Crawford has been in her position overseeing Benny’s Pantry for about a year. “This kind of work is where my heart is,” she says. “I love my job so much because I get to help students, help them find resources and avenues to continue their education when they might otherwise have to quit. I was a non-traditional student, a single mom. I know that getting my degree changed my life. It changed my children’s lives.” 

Rachel Nielsen, Benny's Pantry student manager, is a student at ISU studying anthropology and political science. “I see people every day come into the pantry who are trying to achieve their goals,” she says. “Getting a college education is a dream for many people, a dream that is not without its challenges. Benny's Pantry contributes to the overall well-being and success of the community by relieving the stress of food insecurity for students. With it, students can know there is a safe place to get help.”

Kristen says that she wanted to find a way to give back to the university that had given so much to her daughter when she was attending ISU. She volunteers also because of the value she places on education. “It’s very empowering when people are educated or trained in something,” she says. “If students can stay in school and not have to worry so much about finances or where they’re going to get their next meal, then they can continue their education.”

According to Crawford, patrons to the pantry have tripled since 2020 and almost doubled this last year, which equates to a growth of about 30 new patrons per month. The pantry currently goes through about 4,000 pounds of food monthly.

Crawford says that the pantry has been developing and becoming more sustainable. “Before, we were just hoping we’d have enough food for those coming in,” she said. “There were students who would call on a Wednesday or a Friday and we would have to tell them there was no food here. It was so hard to tell students they had to wait until Monday for food.” 

Now with the support of grocery stores, university units hosting food drives, and donors, more doors have been opened for inviting people to utilize the service. And thanks to some very generous donations from an anonymous donor and from the College of Arts and Letters Dean's Advisory Board (DAB), the pantry will be able to begin doing regular purchases again. Advisory board member Galo Medina shared that the DAB has funded an entire semester for the pantry.

“The Dean’s Advisory Board recognizes the critical need for addressing food insecurity,” Dean Kandi Turley Ames of the College of Arts and Letters says. “It's hard for students to accomplish their goals when their basic needs aren't being met. The DAB is honored to be able to support Benny's Pantry and the great work they do there every day.”

“These food donations help us know we can make consecutive orders throughout this next academic year,” Crawford says. “We will order from the Grocery Outlet. It will melt your heart what the owners do for this community. They’ve done so much in supporting us and giving us incredible deals.”

Shannon and Josh Pence, Pocatello Grocery Outlet owners, have indeed opened their doors and hearts wide to Benny’s Pantry, donating food regularly, and facilitating food drives at their store. 

“Over the past two years, we have learned of the growing concern there is with food insecurity. It's a real thing and there are several organizations out there who are working towards making a difference and helping those who are in need,” Josh Pence says. “Shannon and I are in a unique position where we can help these organizations.”

“Little things that fill gaps help people’s dreams come true,“ Crawford says.  

In addition to grocery stores and donor funds, the Idaho Food Bank contributes a large proportion of food every month. Recently, some improvements and generous community support have not only increased the quantity and variety of food available, but also enhanced the pantry's sustainability and outreach efforts within the ISU community.

Key developments and improvements at Benny’s Pantry that have enhanced their ability to serve students include:

• The Food Rescue Program: Implemented to collect surplus food from local stores like Fred Meyer and Smith's, including bread, bakery items, frozen meat, and dry goods, totaling approximately 500 lbs per pickup. This initiative has significantly increased food availability, allowing the pantry to support more students.
• Expanded Access: Introduced "Free Bread Monday" and additional meat distribution on Thursdays, allowing students to access extra food twice a month beyond regular visits.
• New Resources: Received donations of a new refrigerator from Dairy West and a freezer from an anonymous donor, improving storage capabilities for perishable items. Acquired new donation bins with wheels that are placed around campus, expanding the reach and convenience of donating food.
• Financial Support: Received donations to fund food purchases, ensuring continuous availability of items throughout the year.

Benny’s Pantry relies heavily on volunteer support to run. Mondays are a big day for volunteers at the pantry, when they can receive around 1000-1500 lbs of food. Having volunteers available to bring it in, check the products, and stock the shelves contributes immensely. 

Despite receiving increased food donations, the growing number of patrons presents a constant challenge in balancing supply and demand. Since the pantry runs on donations, one of the biggest hurdles is employee wages. During the school year they can only employ work study students, but those funds run out before the end of the school year. Crawford would like to be able to keep employees over the summer months.

“In order to keep reliable, knowledgeable employees, we need funds,” Crawford says. “It’s an important aspect of a pantry. If people have a familiar face at the pantry, it goes a long way for reducing the discomfort of our patrons. There is so much stigma involved. Keeping the same face as long as we can makes a big difference.”

Limited pantry hours are another hurdle that require employee wages to solve. “Our patrons are requesting us to be open more hours but we don’t have the staff,” Crawford says. “Our hours currently limit the number of patrons who can access the pantry.”

How You Can Help

Donate Food and Supplies

• Drop-off: Bring food donations to the pantry during open hours (listed on our Facebook page at Benny’s Pantry ISU or Instagram @bennyspantry).
• Large Donations: For assistance with large donations, please email us or call our office to schedule a time when volunteers are available to help.

Items especially needed:

• Hygiene Products: Hygiene products (shampoo, conditioner, bath gel rather than soap, things patrons can take in and out of the shower easily, razors, laundry soap, packs of laundry pods that can be divided into smaller portions so more patrons can get some).
• Fresh Produce: If people have gardens and produce that are overflowing we’d love to have that fresh food. It lights up our shelves. Fresh items are gold! 
• Can Openers: Can openers are a big deal. You’d be surprised how many people won’t take canned food because they don’t have a can opener.

Volunteer:

• Food Drives: Units and groups can organize and participate in food drives, utilizing donation bins set up around campus. The Benny’s Pantry team is happy to help you organize a food drive! Many partner grocery stores are happy to facilitate a food drive! We would love to get more student clubs involved.
• Assist with Food Pick-ups and Stocking: Volunteers are crucial for picking up food from donors like Fred Meyer and Smith's, stocking shelves, and organizing items. Monday mornings are a big day for Benny’s Pantry but volunteers are welcome anytime.

Monetary Donations:

• By Check:
• Address the check to "ISU Foundation" and include "Benny's Pantry" in the memo line.
• Mail to: ISU Foundation
  921 S. 8th Ave. Stop 8050
  Pocatello, ID 83209
• In Person: Drop off at the Dean of Students Office in the Student Union Building, Room 204.
• Online: Scan the provided QR code or visit https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/BennyPantry2024 to donate electronically.

Benny’s Pantry Contact Information:

• Email: pantry@isu.edu
• Phone: (208) 282-2794
• Volunteer Sign-Up: Groups and individuals can email us to access the volunteer sign-up calendar.