Mission
The mission of The Big Blue Pantry is to aid Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ University in delivering on the promise of education by serving as a center for social services performance learning.
Vision
The Big Blue Pantry aims to support Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ students experiencing food insecurity and approaches this through
- Work with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ campus community to collect, organize, and distribute food and other supplies to students experiencing food insecurity
- Provide opportunities for awareness, training and service in the areas of campus food insecurity
- Host regular sessions that provide information about food insecurity and how to seek assistance
- Develop and strengthen relationships by partnering with other campus and community organizations
Background
The Big Blue Pantry was formed during the 2018-19 school year, when the Campus Chaplain was assigned to explore ways to address student food insecurity, and began serving as liaison between Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ University and a neighborhood food pantry, located at First Lutheran Church. (More history is available in the pantry digital diary.)
Big Blue Pantry is student-led organization with oversight provided by the Office of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ (including the University Chaplain, who acts as Pantry Director). It operates as a 501(c)(3) under fiscal sponsorship of the University.
How It Works
The Big Blue Pantry utilizes a referral process, where students who are experiencing food insecurity, or have other needs, are referred to the Office of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, who gather information, assess needs, and assign a unique referral number to each student. Contact information is then forwarded to the Pantry Director, who provides a menu for the student to prepare a selection list of desired items. The Director then sends the list to the Student Operations Manager, who supervises the preparation of the box of selected items. The Director coordinates a pickup time with the referred student. This process protects dignity, provides anonymity, and addresses stigma, while preventing waste and misuse. Students interested in using the pantry may seek referral from staff or departments such as Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, Student Success, Wellness, SFS, etc.