Food Pantry Serves Student Body

The Student Success center has been working throughout this summer to launch a food pantry benefiting the student body at Oklahoma Christian University. This fall, the food pantry, named The Talon’s Table, was launched. 

Hannah Leftwich, Director of Student Success & Academic Outreach, said the food pantry began as a way to provide more to the campus.

“The project started with the Oklahoma Christian Women’s Association. They had grant funds available,” Leftwich said. “ Our offices were researching ways to help our campus more, and there was a study that 1 in 4 college students are food insecure, which led us to apply for the grant.” 

Leftwich said this project came from a personal story of not having resources available to her when she was a college student. 

“Personally, when I was a college student, I worked off-campus, and when I came back, the cafeteria was closed and so dinner was fast food, which ended up eating away at my money,” Leftwich said. “It was always a challenge to figure out how to get food, so I’m trying to provide something which wasn’t available for me.” 

Leftwich said she hopes the pantry will extend to even more than just students. 

“I hope this has a big impact. We know there are students on campus who struggle with getting the food they need,” Leftwich said. “We hope this extends to everyone on campus who needs it.” 

Leftwich said she believes this food pantry will supply opportunities for college students to not only be fed, but to thrive. 

“I think this is the start of what could be some really neat opportunities to provide for students who are overlooked on campus,” Leftwich said. “ I hope they feel like they can get help, be safe and ultimately be fed and successful here.” 

For students looking to get involved with the food pantry, Leftwich said the best way to help right now is to donate. 

“As it grows, we may expand it to have student volunteers,” Letfwich said.

Graduate student Emily Brackett, who teamed up with Leftwich to create the food pantry, explained how she became involved. 

“I found out about this project through Hannah,” Brackett said. “This summer, she told me the parameters and I went through the work to make it happen and get it running.” 

Brackett said she thinks this food pantry will offer students an opportunity to get meals in times where they may not be able to otherwise. 

“I think the main impact this has on students who may not be food insecure, but are on the cusp of not being able to apply for food stamps, is giving them an opportunity to get a meal versus them having to wait a day to eat,” Brackett said. 

Brackett hopes this pantry will extend into other areas on campus. 

“I hope we eventually get to a place where this extends into Residence Life and there are pop-up food pantries in all residence halls,” Brackett said. 

For more information, students can scan the QR code provided on the flyers around campus. Students can also visit the Student Success Center to donate items to the pantry. Food, toiletries and school supplies are available in the pantry from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.