Oswego State is working to relieve some of the stress from college students’ budgets during the holiday season by offering a food pantry on campus. The pantry was opened in October and provides food, toiletries and winter clothing to meet the needs that some students face.

In these colder months, there is a great need for donations as the holiday season is supposed to be one of kindness and giving. It is a time of great joy, not a time in which people should be worrying about whether they can afford their next meal or if they have warm enough clothing to stay comfortable throughout the winter.

While it is important to help those in need year round and whenever possible, it is especially important to sacrifice a little this time of year in the spirit of giving to help those in need. The campus food pantry is a wonderful opportunity for college students to donate and help out those they encounter on a daily basis and to be able to see face-to-face the difference that they are making.

Not only does the on-campus food pantry make it easier and more feasible for students to be able to donate, it also works to make it more accessible for students in need to have a close, resource to turn to and to ensure that they are prepared and healthy. Often, people are unable to obtain the help they need because they do not know of proper resources. Having the on-campus option is a wonderful resource because it provides a more comfortable environment for students to get the help that they need without having to worry about needing transportation to get there.

The on-campus food pantry is working both to get students involved in community service and to provide a safe and convenient outlet for students in need to turn to. One in which they can feel comfortable and safe enough to ask for and accept the help that they need.