Q: I heard the senior class gift is support for Lion’s Pantry. What is that?

Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

A: Lion’s Pantry is an on-campus food bank intended to supplement the food budget of Penn State University Park students in need, by providing them with a weekly assortment of goods donated by community members and corporate partners. Students created Lion’s Pantry in November 2014 with support from the College of Agricultural Sciences; the Sustainability Institute; Housing, Food Services and Residence Life; the Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management program; Project Cahir; the State College Food Bank; and various student organizations.

Penn State’s class of 2017 voted recently to establish an endowment to support Lion’s Pantry as its class gift.

“Created to address the issue of hunger among in-need and at-risk students, Lion’s Pantry ensures that students won’t go to bed hungry; they won’t wake up wondering if they will have a meal that day; they won’t have to take on an extra shift at work so they can eat. Instead they can worry about midterms, papers and projects — so they can graduate, pursue a career, and make a life," said Penn State President Eric Barron in accepting the gift on behalf of the University. "Class of 2017, you are making a difference. In your choice, you have shown a level of maturity and caring that is an inspiring example for all of us. You have made us proud."

Lion’s Pantry is located by East Halls and the Katz Law Building, between Lion Surplus and the O. Richard Bundy Blue Band Building. The pantry is open to all Penn State students. The only requirement is a student ID. Official fall hours are 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.

Lion’s Pantry accepts donations of nonperishable food whenever it is open. Monetary gifts also are accepted and volunteers are needed. For information about Lion’s Pantry, including how to get food, how to get involved and how to donate, email lionspantrypsu@gmail.com or visit http://sites.psu.edu/lionspantrypsu/. Lion’s Pantry also can be found on social media. Like them on Facebook, and follow @lionspantrypsu on Twitter and psulionspantry on Instagram.

Last Updated November 16, 2016