Paws Pantry Celebrates Grand Opening

Food insecurity, the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food, is a growing crisis in small communities in Appalachia and beyond. The administration and staff of Frostburg State University recognized this problem in the 2017-2018 school year and sought to address student access to food. Their effort, the Paws Pantry, celebrated its grand opening on Friday, Feb. 8. Located at 20 Braddock Road, the pantry is situated just behind Gray Hall.

Developed over the course of a year with active participation by the Office of Civic Engagement, AmeriStar, faculty from a diverse number of departments, administration officials, Chartwells, and SGA, the Paws Pantry is already offering supplementary food to 60 students. Melanie Hutter, the Program Coordinator, recently reflected on the opening and remarked that, “without the faculty and staff of this university, the pantry would have never opened… they were absolutely essential and without them, this would be impossible.” The FSU pantry program was modeled after the University of Baltimore’s student pantry, says Patrick O’Brien, the Director of the Office of Civic Engagement.

Through weekly deliveries from the Western Maryland Food Bank and the Christian Appalachian Program, the Paws Pantry can supply a minimum of 1,500 lbs of food per week to the student population. This number, however, is already anticipated to grow as new students join. Shopping occurs on Mondays and Thursdays, and the diversity of items offered is particularly surprising. From coffee drinks to seaweed snacks, cans of vegetables to feminine hygiene products, and fruits to baking essentials, the Paws Pantry is a fully stocked and well-oiled machine. Hutter and the Paws Pantry doesn’t stop there either. “The Loop,” a coordinated van shuttle service, makes stops between the pantry and local, affordable grocery stores, like Save-A-Lot. Hutter also suggests a number of recipes that exclusively use pantry items.

The Paws Pantry is planning to grow, too. Eventually, O’Brien says, “we hope to have freezers to accommodate more protein items in the future.” And, while the Paws Pantry is beholden to the donations of others, all the staple products of a college student’s diet are available (i.e. Instant Ramen and Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches).

If you are a student that could use support, Hutter says the process of signing up is quick and completely anonymous. Simply email her at mlhutter@frostburg.edu or stop by the Paws Pantry, Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.