West Virginia University wants to make sure that no student goes without food.

To do that, the University’s Student Organizations Services and Greek community have opened “The Rack” food bank.

The Rack’s shelves are stocked with canned and boxed foods, including macaroni and cheese, noodles, applesauce, oatmeal, tuna fish and rice. Everything is ready to eat or can be prepared with minimal ingredients, such as water and milk.

“There was an article on NPR that talked about students on other campuses who were hungry and didn’t have sufficient funds to buy food, but they were hiding behind their hunger because they were embarrassed and wanted to be self-sufficient,” said Jacqueline Dooley, program coordinator with Student Organizations Services. “We decided we wanted to provide a place for them to get some food, and help them.”

The bank is located in the Student Organizations Services wing of the Mountainlair, just off the Vandalia Lounge. It is open and available to students during Mountainlair hours. All students are welcome to the food items, but they are asked to be responsible and consider that there are other students in similar situations.

The students are also asked to write their first names on a register when taking food to help the office keep track of the need.

WVU fraternities and sororities will hold a food drive around Homecoming to gather food for The Rack. The food bank will be restocked weekly, or as needed, with help from various University organizations, departments, the Greek community and the Student Organizations Services office.

In addition to the The Rack, there are a variety of community organizations available to assist students, including Christian Help, Community Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, Rock Forge Presbyterian Church Food Pantry and North Central Community Action.

“Our purpose is to hit the student population that possibly will not visit these other organizations,” said Ron Justice, director of Student Organizations Services.

A comprehensive list of the area’s food distribution centers and homeless/emergency shelters is available when students visit The Rack, and on the Student Organizations Services website at http://sos.wvu.edu/ .

For more information on The Rack, call the Student Organizations Services office at 304-293-4397.

-WVU-

cd/09/09/10

CONTACT: Jacqueline Dooley, Student Organizations Services
304-293-4397, Jacqueline.Dooley@mail.wvu.edu

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