OU Food Pantry Available to Students, Faculty, and Staff
Over the past three years, the OU Food Pantry has served thousands of OU students, faculty and staff facing food insecurity. With a new school year underway, awareness of the Food Pantry’s services and how to support it are timely and important for all members of the OU community.
While in-person shopping is currently unavailable due to COVID-19, Matt Marks, executive director of the OU Food Pantry, said individuals are still able to receive food through an online ordering system.
“All students, staff and faculty are eligible to use the food pantry,” Marks said. “All they need to do is fill out the form located on our ENGAGE webpage, and our staff will approve it and fill the order.”
Online orders must be received by 10 a.m. on Mondays, although pantry staff will try their best to accommodate late orders. Orders may be picked up at the Food Pantry, located at 1113 Elm Ave. in Norman, on Tuesdays or Wednesdays between 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Shoppers must bring a valid OU ID.
In addition to online shopping, Marks shared other ways that the Food Pantry has been restructured to help keep clients and staff safe.
“Besides the online ordering, clients must wear a face mask, as mandated by the university, and only one household member is allowed in the pantry at one time to pick up their order,” Marks said.
Individuals who are unable to pick up their order during the designated hours of operation can email oupantry@ou.edu to arrange an alternate time.
The OU Food Panty relies exclusively on donations from individuals who understand the importance of supporting others.
“We can’t do what we do without the generous support of our campus and Norman community,” Marks said. “There is so much uncertainty because of this pandemic, and we want to continue to do our part in helping take care of the community.”
Monetary tax-deductible donations can be made online or by mailing a check payable to the OU Foundation 100 Timberdell Road, Norman, OK 73072, with “OU Food Pantry” in the memo.
Drop-off donations of non-perishable food items may be delivered to the OU Food Pantry at 1113 Elm Ave. in Norman during hours of operation on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Currently, the Food Pantry is in need of items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soaps, deodorant, toilet paper, cans of fruit, green beans, applesauce and pasta.
“Every little bit helps us in our mission to end food insecurity and hunger on our campus,” Marks said.
By Mackenzie Scheer
Article Published: Wednesday, August 26, 2020