Gulf Park Food Pantry Fills Need for Students, Faculty, and Staff
Mon, 01/29/2024 - 09:29am | By: Gabriela Shinskie
Helping students, faculty and staff is the mission of The University of 51逗奶 Mississippi鈥檚 (USM) Gulf Park Pantry, where various items are requested weekly from those in need.
Heather Miller, director of Academic Financial Affairs at Gulf Park, helped start the pantry in 2017. At that time, she frequently encountered coastal students request items from the Eagle鈥檚 Nest in Hattiesburg. This growing need sparked an idea to create a pantry on the coast.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important that students, faculty and staff know it鈥檚 [the pantry] there for them,鈥� said Miller. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no reason to be ashamed for accepting its services. It鈥檚 a safe space where people can come in and get what they need.鈥�
The pantry is home to such items as canned chicken, beans, and oatmeal, among many others. Pre-packed bags of different foods and hygiene items are available for pickup at the pantry website. Special requests can be made based on allergy issues and household size. When an immediate need arises, Miller and other staff members can meet with the recipient at a location to drop off their items.
Kristen Chachati, a USM graduate student, helps with restocking and organizing the pantry. She said many students using the pantry are at Stennis Space Center, carpooling and arriving in groups to Gulf Park to get what they need.
Chachati requests a variety of items to fill the pantry鈥檚 shelves so those coming into the pantry can have options to choose from. One of the most highly requested needs is for cleaning products, she said.
鈥淭hese items run out quickly,鈥� Chachati explained, 鈥渁nd keeping variety in the pantry is a challenge. We don鈥檛 want students receiving the same items every time they come in.鈥�
Current pantry needs include:
- Canned chicken
- Grits
- Granola bars
- Gluten-free items
- Canned vegetables
- Peanut butter and jams
- Beans
Household items that are needed include:
- Toilet paper
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Laundry detergent
- Soap
- Feminine products
- Hand sanitizer
Chachati is grateful for the opportunity to fill the needs of USM coastal students,
faculty and staff, and urges everyone to utilize its benefits. She also encourages
the community to donate items to the pantry through their and Wish List.
鈥淧eople need to know about the pantry,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f the resources within the pantry are not used, it goes to waste.鈥�
Those in need of items can fill out an . The spring semester hours for the pantry are Tuesday 9:30-2:30, Wednesday 9:30-3:30 and Thursday 9:30-2:30. Contact the Gulf Park Pantry at 228.214.3341.