Bon Appétit and Lawrence University Students Team Up to Feed the Hungry
- by Guest
General Manager Julie Severance and Community Advisor and Lawrence student Molly Ruffing, who came up with the idea to increase support of the campus food pantry
Food insecurity has become a much-discussed topic on many college campuses.
Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, started a food pantry for students back in the fall of 2017 to help combat this issue. Stocked with nonperishables, sundries, and clothing, the pantry is open to all.
The Bon Appétit team at Lawrence has long supported the pantry by facilitating donations from students, but last fall Community Advisor and Lawrence student Molly Ruffing approached General Manager Julie Severance about an additional way the team could help. Working with the Center for Community Engagement and Social Change, Molly wanted to involve students in more active forms of giving. Molly proposed an alternative option to the culinary cash donations: students could use their culinary cash to buy food and sundries in the convenience store, and Bon Appétit could then facilitate their transfer to the food pantry.
Intrigued by the proposal, Julie decided to invite Bon Appétit employees to participate as well. Students were encouraged to bring their donations to midnight breakfast, and Bon Appétit employees to the end-of-term party. Over just two evenings, Lawrence students contributed 30 pounds and Bon Appétit employees more than 260 pounds of food and sundries to the pantry!
Everyone looks forward to continued collaboration with passionate and engaged students, faculty, and staff.
Submitted by Julie Severance, General Manager