University Libraries Food for Fines, Eagle Food Chain Initiatives to Support Eagles Nest Pantry
Tue, 11/06/2018 - 12:44pm | By: David Tisdale
During November, patrons of University Libraries at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg can cancel or reduce overdue materials fines with donations of items for the Eagle's Nest Food Pantry. The pantry is located on the east side of The Hub, facing M.M. Roberts Stadium.
An initiative started by the School of Social Work and managed by its graduate student organization, the Eagle's Nest Pantry is open Wednesdays and Fridays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for students, staff or faculty who experience temporary challenges meeting their basic needs of food or other necessities.
On Tuesday, Nov. 27 beginning at 2 p.m., University Libraries asks members of the Hattiesburg campus community to help form a chain of volunteers to pass donated items from Cook Library to the Eagle's Nest Pantry. Volunteers can assemble at either location or anywhere in between to form the line.
“Knowing what a vital resource the pantry is makes me even more excited about the Food for Fines initiative,” said Access Services Librarian and Clinical Associate Professor Sarah Mangrum, who is managing the initiative for University Libraries. “I hope our campus and community patrons will take advantage of this opportunity to help fellow Golden Eagles through their donations.”
Each item donated equals $1 in fines subtracted from a patron's account. The following items are considered among the pantry's top needs:
- Canned fruit
- Canned milk
- Canned meats (tuna, chicken, etc.)
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Boxed or individual servings of mac and cheese
- Spaghetti sauce and noodles
- Shelf-stable prepared meals (beef stew, ravioli, lasagna, vegetarian meals, etc.)
- Hygiene items (shampoo, toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap, deodorant, etc.)
- School supplies (pens, 3-hole punched paper, spiral notebooks, etc.)
For more information about Food for Fines or the Eagle Food Chain, contact Mangrum at sarah.rialsFREEMississippi or saswFREEMississippi; for more information about the Eagle's Nest Food Pantry, visit https://www.usm.edu/social-work/eagles-nest-food-pantry.