Buster’s Pantry

By Jody Wood

For most students, college poses a unique set of challenges, including living away from home and keeping up with classes. Unfortunately, many students must face these challenges while also struggling to meet more basic needs, such as having enough to eat. According to data from the College & University Food Bank Alliance's website, approximately 30 percent of students nationwide experience food insecurity, meaning they have limited access to healthy and safe food.

At Snow College, Buster’s Pantry is a valuable resource on both campuses for students in need of food and supplies. The Ephraim pantry is located in the Greenwood Student Center, and the Richfield pantry is in the Badger Den, inside the Administration Building. The pantry is named after the mascot of Snow College, Buster Badger. It was started more than seven years ago, after the idea was suggested by Rob Nielson, assistant to the president/athletics and auxiliary services. Student Life staff, student workers, and student body officers have been managing it ever since.

The resources at Buster’s Pantry are intended for Snow College students and their immediate families, and there are no income guidelines to determine who can utilize them. Students wishing to use the pantry check in, complete a short intake form on an iPad, and then check off their choices from a list of available food and toiletry items. This list may vary somewhat from week to week, and additional seasonal items are sometimes offered. The Student Life staff has refined this list to include foods that students choose due to their nutritional value and ease of preparation. When the student has made their selections from the list, Student Life staff, student workers, or student body officers fill the order for them. The order can be taken immediately or picked up later by appointment.

A student volunteer stocks shelves at Buster's Pantry on the Ephraim campus. Student Life is hoping to move to an online system in the fall, so that students can check in and make their selections via the internet. Students may make one visit a week to the pantry. If they need additional help, the Student Life staff share informaBUSTERS PANTRY BY STUDENTS • FOR STUDENTS GIVE A LITTLE or TAKE A LITTLE tion about the Sanpete Pantry to help students access additional resources. Most pantry donations come from Snow College employees, but anyone is welcome to donate. Cash B U S T E R S P A N T R Y G I V E A L I T T L E T A K E A L I T T L E B Y S T U D E N T S F O R S T U D E N T S donations are preferred, but anyone wishing to donate food items can call (435) 283- 7121 in Ephraim or (435) 893-2259 in Richfield to find out what items are needed. For information on operating hours, students can visit the Snow College app.