Students, faculty and graduates came together on April 17, preparing the food pantry for a large delivery next week. United Way at Metro Chicago is collaborating with GovState’s Student Activities Council to provide food, drink, and living supplies for our on-campus pantry.

April Food Day is an initiative established by the United Way of Illinois, an association dedicated to informing citizens and public officials about governmental actions, the effects of legislation, and how they impact human services in several communities. For over eight years, its Metro Chicago branch has organized April Food Day, supplying numerous food pantries within the Chicago Southland area. GovState recently joined this initiative, where students aid in sorting and packing efforts to increase nutritional efforts in the Southland area.

Danielle Austin, the director of GovState’s food pantry, is directly collaborating to add extra resources for the students who rely on pantry services.

The first section of GovState’s April Food Day was about making space for a new batch of food and care products. Students, workers and volunteers diligently organized and restocked the food pantry over two shifts, one from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and the other from 1 to 3 p.m. Stacking food supplies in order, checking the dates, and keeping the shelves and refrigerator orderly was the name of the game. After any volunteer work on campus, GovState members can (and should) log their volunteer hours on Jaguar Connections and document their work efforts.

On April 22, a portion of volunteers will pack and distribute food and care items at the Tinley Park Conservation Center between 2 shifts. The first shift is from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the second from 11:30 to 3 pm. The rest will finish restocking and ordering deliveries at GovState’s pantry from 3 to 5 p.m. Applications are closed, so stay on the lookout for other opportunities on Jaguar Connections.

Looking to volunteer on campus? Sign up for events here