As an integral part of the National Day of Service, Norfolk State University is sponsoring a food and essential items pantry drive from Monday, January 17, through Monday, January 31. Nonperishable food and essential items will be donated to the Norfolk State University Spartan Food Pantry. The National Day of Service is held on the federal holiday that honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and it’s the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service.
“Food insecurity on college campuses is a real issue that is often ignored,” said Dr. Khadijah O. Miller. “Yet, the pantries on NSU’s campus for residential students and for commuter students are part of our response and solution.”
Miller also noted that the project continues NSU’s longstanding tradition of providing education, service, and resources inside and outside of the classroom.
Dr. DoVeanna Fulton, provost and vice president for academic affairs, made it clear that service should be a major aspect of NSU’s MLK Day remembrance when the food donation project was started last year. And it was highly successful.
“Some of our largest donations came from area houses of worship and alumni chapters, specifically First Baptist Church of South Hill and the Pure Gold Alumni Chapter-NSUAA,” said Michelle Hill, executive director of alumni relations and annual giving.
It’s hoped that a similar response occurs this year.
The NSU Alumni Association, Office of Housing and Residence Life, and the RCN Honors College are hosting this year’s food and essential items pantry drive. The goals of the drive are to ensure students’ safety by providing access to food after hours when on-campus dining facilities are typically closed and to aid students who lack financial resources to purchase essential personal items during critical times throughout their academic tenure.
A list of nonperishable items can be found at https://www.amazon.com/registries/custom/3L3ZVB0QF8M09/guest-view?ref=gr_search_page_result. It’s an Amazon Wishlist, which is a fast and effective way to donate needed items directly to the pantry, from wherever you might be located. This list is frequently updated to reflect current needs. To ship directly to the pantry, select the registry address labeled “Spartans Pantry's Gift Registry Address” during checkout.
For in-person donations, items can be dropped off on the porch of the Melvin & Patricia Stith Alumni House or shipped to the following address.
Melvin & Patricia Stith Alumni House
2426 Corprew Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23504
For additional details, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving at (757) 823-8135 or Dr. Khadijah O. Miller at komiller@nsu.edu.
Text version of the Spartan Pantry List (PDF)