Pooja Shaunak
Reporter
Some students may have heard of the Owl Food Pantry through word of mouth, flyers around campus, or social media. However, many have also not heard about it and the help it is offering students. The Owl Food Pantry was founded in the summer of 2020, about halfway through the pandemic. The pantry was started by a student, who spread the word by talking to students and putting up flyers around the school, however, Alisen Reed, really hit the ground running when she joined the faculty of Mississippi University for Women in August 2021.
Reed came to The W originally for music therapy but eventually became a communication major with a minor in music. She is now in a women’s leadership program and started off working in the alumni office. She is now the administrative assistant to the vice president of student affairs, as well as the organizer of the Owl Food Pantry.
“I loved the student life aspect of my time at The W. It’s what really made my experience and my heart here. It carries a lot of backstory with my friends and I want to give the students the same experience,” said Reed. “We don’t want our students to ever worry about food. We want our students to know that we are here to help, and we want to help.”
Reed didn’t think she would stay here upon graduation, but she is glad she did. She talks about the process of applying for the Owl Food Pantry if a student were to need food.
“You can search ‘MUW food pantry’ on Google and click on the link. A form should pop up. In the form, you are able to state what you’re allergic to if you have any dietary restrictions, or even if you just want a certain item. After that, we will review your form and get a box and/or bags ready for you. Typically, a student receives food the same day, unless it’s after hours,” said Reed. “I do check my email first thing when I come in the mornings and start getting bags together based on that.”
The Owl Food Pantry was started during the pandemic when many people’s jobs shut down and lockdowns happened. Even though many of those restrictions are now lifted she still never wants the lack of food to be a burden for students.
La’Porsha Storey, a sophomore English creative writing major, has heard about the Owl Food Pantry through advertisements around school and signed up to use the service.
“It was a quick experience. I filled out an application online and got my food the next day,” said Storey. “I think sending out more emails and putting up flyers around school will get students’ attention because I don’t know if a lot of students know about it yet. I found out about it my freshman year and also I have a friend that works at the pantry as the student affairs student worker.”
Alyssa Riddley is a junior accounting major is the Student Affairs worker that helps organize the pantry, make bags, and get the word out.
“We had six student workers last semester, but right now we don’t have a steady count. It is mainly Alyssa and I running the pantry, along with some other students that drop by as volunteers when they have time.” Said Reed. “We really appreciate our volunteers, and we want everyone to know that students, along with staff, friends of the W, or any needing volunteer hours can come volunteer. The applications can be found online, or you can call me at 662-329-7129. My office is on the 4th floor of Cochran, so students often come up here to tell us that they’re here and we walk them down to the 3rd-floor pantry.”
For the future, Reed hopes to get the word out more about the pantry. Student Affairs works alongside the Student Relief Fund, especially with the food pantry, but they want to get together with The Wesley House to organize an event. Through the help of students, alums, and faculty, the food pantry has had donations of food and hopes to expand in the future.
“We will never turn down any student. It doesn’t matter what point you are in your life, whether you’re a student with kids, or a student with pets, we put students first. Come get this food,” said Reed.
The Owl Food Pantry can be found at Cochran Hall and can also be followed on Instagram @owlfoodpantry.