Grand Opening Celebrates Food Pantry’s Move to WSU’s Stewart Library
OGDEN, Utah – The Weber Cares Food & Resource Pantry, which provides free food and resources to students in need of some extra help, will celebrate its grand reopening on Oct. 6, 2-4 p.m. in Stewart Library Rooms 321 and 224. A reception and presentation will begin at 2:30 p.m. followed by small group tours of the pantry’s library space. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
“Stewart Library is excited to host the Weber Cares Food Pantry because it aligns with the library’s mission to support students and remove barriers to their education,” said Wendy Holliday, Stewart Library dean. “Moving to the library will expand the pantry space 
as well as provide the ability to open for more evening and weekend hours in the future. We also hope to see the pantry as a place where people can connect with a wide range of social and support services because that's what libraries do.”
Jordan Wheeler, a sophomore studying criminal justice, is the Weber Cares Pantry specialist at the Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL). Wheeler said the food pantry is important because it provides food, hygiene and resources to those in need. “As a college student, money can be tight. We have a food pantry to help anyone who is struggling. We welcome all students with open arms and hope that everyone will feel like they can come to the pantry whenever they need,” Wheeler said.
Supported by CCEL, Weber Cares allows students to concentrate on their studies instead of worrying about where their next meal is coming from. The program uses a three-pronged approach: the food pantry offers healthy food at no cost; a voucher program provides an emergency $10 credit redeemable at any Weber Dining campus location; and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) gives food assistance from the state.
“Another important role we play in student success is our impact on student health in general, whether that be providing supplemental food resources or peace of mind knowing that food is available, if needed,” said Patrick Tadlock, CCEL assistant director. “We plan to continue growing our resources and options to help meet the needs of our students into the future.”
The Weber Cares Pantry relies primarily on food and monetary donations, such as those from Weber Dining, to operate. Weber Dining contributes by collecting extra food from its kitchens each day. The food is packaged and taken to the pantry with help from the Food Recovery Network, a student-driven volunteer program that aims to address food insecurity and reduce food waste on campus. After fully stocking the pantry, student volunteers deliver the remaining food donations to Lantern House, a local community shelter. On average, Weber Dining donates over 3,500 pounds of food every semester.
“The Weber Cares Pantry would like to thank everyone both on and off campus for their continued support of our programs over the years,” Tadlock said, “specifically for the outpouring of support we have received during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
For more information about the pantry, visit weber.edu/ccel/weber-cares.
For photos of the pantry, visit this link.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Jordan Wise, Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • jordanwise@weber.edu- Contact:
Patrick Tadlock, CCEL assistant director
801-626-6890 • patricktadlock@weber.edu