MONROE, LA – The ULM Honors Political Science class recently made a donation of $328 to the ULM Food Pantry, which provides non-perishable food items to students experiencing food insecurity on campus. The money was raised through a donation-based bake sale hosted by the class.
The idea for the project came about earlier in the semester when the class studied food insecurity and food policy in the U.S., including the causes of hunger and how to fight hunger through community and government resources. The students heard from a representative of the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana about the work they do in the region and learned about public policy such as the U.S. Farm Bill and food safety regulations. After learning about food insecurity on college campuses, the class decided to focus their group project on fighting hunger and hosted a donation-based bake sale, with proceeds going to the ULM Food Pantry.
“These students increased awareness about food insecurity on our campus,” said Dr. Leigh Hersey, Associate Professor of Political Science. “They took what we discussed in class and used it to make a meaningful contribution to their fellow students. I also want to thank everyone who contributed to the bake sale. We could not have achieved this without their support,” added Hersey.
Morgan Neal is a freshman psychology major who was part of the class project. “We wanted to do something that was for our students on campus that we might pass by every day,” said Neal. “A lot of people are not comfortable saying they are struggling with food insecurity and need help. Having the food pantry on campus helps those individuals,” she added.
The ULM Food Pantry is located in the Student Activity Center at 210 Warhawk Way. The pantry is open to all ULM students and staff, providing a valuable resource to those in need with no questions asked. The Food Pantry works in partnership with the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, but also accepts donations from the community. For more information about the ULM Food Pantry, contact Elizabeth Wheeler at ewheeler@ulm.edu or visit ulm.edu/recserv/ulmfoodpantry.html to see hours and a list of currently needed items.