Rain Hodack works in the administrative group of University Communications and Marketing and has been a part of the MSU community for more than 31 years. She looks for ways that her department can make connections with and in support of MSU entities during the holidays.
This year it all started with a chance meeting. I was walking back to Olds Hall when I encountered a student in a vehicle trying to navigate her way around the campus. She was on her way to an appointment with the MSU Student Food Bank in Olin Health Center. We talked about all the programs that students can take advantage of to help them overcome barriers and challenges that often lead them to greater achievement once they know they have support.
A couple of days later I received an email about hosting a holiday food drive for the MSU Student Food Bank from one of the email listservs that I belong to. It dawned on me that this was fate knocking at my door. UCAM started its holiday food drive at the beginning of October with the idea that we’d run it for three months and drop off items collected at the end of each month.
At the end of October, I made our first delivery of spices, cooking oils, personal hygiene, baking supplies, snacks and condiments. The experience for me was mind blowing. Kara Swain is the food bank coordinator. She hasn’t been in the position long, but she has passion and she’s a graduate of MSU. She gave me a tour of the space, which I was genuinely surprised at how big it was, including huge walk-in cooler spaces for milk, butter, eggs, meat, etc. This was pleasantly surprising as other local food banks don’t necessarily have the space for those kinds of items.
I learned that more than 250 students are served each week. The process is fascinating. Students can access an online form to make selections from what is available and then schedule an appointment for pick-up. It’s a thing of beauty to see this much time and effort put into a food bank. Everything is sorted and categorized. Students using the service will receive everything they need for making complete meals.
Of special interest to me was finding out that there are partnerships in place, such as with the MSU Student Organic Farm to provide seasonal produce when an overabundance occurs. Students helping students is what makes this food bank so special.
My next connection with them will come in the form of volunteering after completing an online application form and then attending orientation to receive training. Shifts can be in two-hour blocks and every little bit helps students to achieve their academic goals.