Photo Shakell James
Shakell James
Staff Writer
Many students at Jackson State University do not know that a resource to help with food insecurity is available to students in need. That resource is the Tiger Pantry.
The Tiger Pantry was started in October 2017 by former first lady Deborah Bynum, according to Shonda De Verteuil, Tiger Pantry business manager.
“She (Deborah Bynum) had a vision of helping students alleviate their food insecurities. She felt as though if the students didn’t have to worry about paying for something to eat, versus getting books or concentrating on school, they would do better academically,” said Verteuil.
To request items from the pantry, students need only fill out the request form on the JSU website under the Residence Life portal at: https://www.jsums.edu/housing/tiger-pantry/
Items can be requested once every seven days. Items include proteins, starches, snacks, and toiletries. Tuna, chicken, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, and rice are some of the many items available.
Michelle Thompson, a graduate student from Jamaica and assistant to Verteutil said, “We have cereal, pop tarts, granola bars, fruit cups, and applesauce.”
Sausage biscuits and hot pockets, specifically the ham and cheese and pepperoni kinds, are new editions made to the pantry.
The hygiene products include toothpaste, mouthwash, dishwashing liquid, and hand sanitizers.
According to Verteuil, last year, students were not as comfortable with discussing their issues needs. This year, students have gotten more comfortable with the pantry, allowing them to serve over 500 students this year alone.
Donations are more than welcome for the Tiger Pantry. Two types of donations can be made, including in kind donations and monetary donations. In kind donations, which are specific items brought in, can be made by appointment with Verteuil.
Monetary donations would allow donors to go through the JSU Development Foundation. For those that would like to receive a tax benefit, or financial donation, it would have to be at least $500.
LiDarrius Brooks, a junior healthcare administration major from Memphis, Tenn., emphasized the benefits of the pantry.
“Receiving items from the pantry before working there, I would order things like crackers, water, ramen noodles, hot pockets, and other things that help me through the week,” said Brooks.
Keaton Scott, a junior therapeutic recreation major from San Antonio, Texas, shared her experiences with the pantry.
“The Tiger Pantry helped me because last semester I was working 2 fulltime jobs, as well as work-study. I had to use all my money to pay for school, so the pantry provided me with items that I needed,” said Scott.
The Tiger Pantry has many donors. These donors include: The Gamma Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Byram Terry Alumni Chapter, Kroger, Leake County Alumni Chapter, Madison County Alumni Chapter, The Rho Lambda Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Mauda Monger from The She Project, Restoring Hope, Lambda Beta Alumni Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, Fort Valley State University, Lynch Chapel United Methodist Church, Averno College, Broadview Missionary Baptist Church, The Law Office of Marcus Esther LLC, Southern Girls Book Club, Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, and Jackson State National Alumni Association.
Kroger, is one of the largest donors, supplying the pantry with $10,000 a year.
The pantry is open Monday – Fridays between the times of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and is open to all current students, whether they stay on campus or not. Graduate students are also not excluded from using the benefits of the pantry.
For more information, the housing office can be contacted via email at housinginfo@jsums.edu or by phone at 601-979-2326.
