By The Fighting Saints are leading the charge against hunger on campus with the new food pantry. The Fighting Saints Food Pantry is a student-run resource that is available to all Carroll students, staff, and faculty.
It is meant to supplement their food supply, and ensure no one goes hungry at Carroll.
Earlier in the semester, about 30 students and employees showed up for the grand opening of The Fighting Saints Food Pantry (FSFP) which is located in Nelson Stadium. The pantry is open to all Carroll students, staff, and faculty, and anyone in need is welcome to come by, no questions asked.
The panty is run on the honor system and will be available at least once a month.
The next time it will be open for business is on Thursday, Feb. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. While open, they supply perishable, and nonperishable foods thanks to the Helena Food Share program. Some of the food available include canned soups, granola bars, mac and cheese, bread, rice, apple sauce, milk, and any produce brought by Helena Food Share.
Madeline Geritz, president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) said that a need was identified and the council stepped up with an idea to satisfy that need.
“The pantry is meant to help Carroll College students and employees,” said Geritz. “With no judgment attached, it is there for them.”
SAAC, the Athletics Departments’ Mark Johnston who runs business and partner relations, and Conlan Burk, the sports information director, collectively manage the pantry.
“The main driving forces behind the pantry have been the SAAC, Johnston, and Town Pump,” said Burk.
Johnston was able to secure a $5,000 grant from Town Pump to get the pantry started, and Burk said that there are hopes of expanding the pantry to serve local schools and the community surrounding Carroll as more resources become available.
“The Helena Food Share has agreed to bring perishable foods on the days that the pantry is open because the pantry does not yet have the capability to store perishable foods,” said Burk.
The SAAC and the Athletics Department are diligently working to improve the pantry. They are actively seeking partnerships in our community and with other entities around campus. Burk said that so far there is interest from the Staff Advisory Council.
Non-perishable food items may be dropped off at the Athletics Department, or in the Saints Shoppe. There will also be food drives at every home game, and the “Can the Diggers” food drive will make a return in the Fall when the Fighting Saints play the Diggers.
Information about upcoming food drives and dates for when the panty is going to be open next will be posted on all of the Carroll College Athletics social media accounts. It will also be disseminated via email, either in the Halo Happenings or Saints Scoop emails.
