Work to open the wall between the current SHOP (foreground) and its new space made it necessary to close the student-serving food pantry for a time during winter break. Submitted photo.
Work on a key piece of the SHOP food pantry expansion was on track to be completed over winter break, until construction crews ran into some unexpected delays, pushing back the Jan. 8 reopening plan. The pantry had to remain closed while its north wall was opened to the adjoining room.
The student health and wellness team took the news in stride and quickly developed a plan to offer a temporary mobile food pantry delivery service until SHOP could reopen. April Lopez, a food security and basic needs specialist, said they planned to provide pre-packaged bags of food to students.
And then it was Mother Nature's turn to throw a curveball.
Snowstorms on Jan. 9 and Jan. 11 disrupted the Food Bank of Iowa's scheduled delivery to SHOP. The disruption meant the food order -- around 5,000 pounds -- wouldn't arrive in time for SHOP's initial plan for mobile food bank deliveries.
"Initially, there was a little panic," Lopez said. "We had a backup plan and then we had to change plans again. Fortunately, thanks to our strategic partnerships with ISU Dining and Fareway, we were able to respond quickly."
In collaboration with ISU Dining, the team devised a plan to expand the Give A Swipe program and provide students two meals at ISU Dining centers while the SHOP was closed. Donor support from Danny and Carla O'Neill made possible the free meals.
One way to support SHOP
If you want to support SHOP, with pantry enhancements or to help purchase food for the pantry shelves, you can donate through this ISU Foundation fund for SHOP.
"When I reflect back on my days at Iowa State, I reflect on great memories that changed the trajectory of my life," Danny O'Neill said. "Thankfully, being food insecure was not something I had to suffer from. The thought of ISU students struggling makes me want to help in any way that I can. If each of us can do just a little something, we can eliminate this situation today."
In addition to the Give a Swipe program, student health and wellness distributed $25 gift cards for Fareway. Despite the doors being closed, SHOP served 300 students and their families in two days.
"It's so nice to see people step up to make things happen," said Erin Baldwin, associate vice president of student health and wellness and director of the Thielen Student Health Center. "Whenever we have a student need, people are quick to help and make sure we can support our students."
Expansion will provide space for additional needs
The SHOP expansion is one of 19 strategic plan projects to receive funding for fiscal year 2024. The additional space will allow SHOP to keep more fresh food on hand. There also will be room for campus and community partners to meet with students to identify other resources available to help them succeed at Iowa State.
"Our strategic plan focuses on being the most student-centric leading research university," said Brian Vanderheyden, director of student wellness. "The expansion, along with the campus community's determination to overcome these recent roadblocks, perfectly illustrate Iowa State's commitment to this mission."
SHOP reopened on Wednesday, Jan. 17. While the work to open the wall is complete, Lopez said crews still are working on flooring, new shelving and other finishing items in the space.
