young woman stocking shelves in a food pantry

November 13, 2023

Thanks “Giving Back” Food Drive Nov. 28 will benefit SIU students

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Thanks “Giving Back” Campus Food Drive offers a great opportunity to assist Southern Illinois University Carbondale students who need a little help now and then. The food drive is set for 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 28, and all donations will go to the Saluki Food Pantry, which has served thousands of students and their families since opening its doors in August 2016.

Two ways to donate

Community, faculty and staff donations are welcome. Nonperishable food items for the Saluki Food Pantry can be contributed in two ways:

  • Simply drop them off in the Student Center Art Gallery, located on the first floor near the south escalator, on the morning of Nov. 28.
  • Campus offices can arrange to have the SIU Grounds Department pick up larger donations by emailing foodpantry@siu.edu to schedule a time.

Some items especially needed

The donation of any nonperishable food items is always welcome. The need is particularly great for:

  • Fruit – canned or cups (no added sugar preferred).
  • Grains – brown or white rice, pasta, boxed pasta meals, oatmeal, cereal.
  • Proteins/meats – canned tuna, chicken or salmon, peanut butter, canned or dried beans.
  • Monetary donations to buy food – this enables the pantry staff to purchase the items most needed by students at any given time.

Find a current list of needed food items on the food pantry website.

For more information

The Saluki Food Pantry, located on the lower level of the Student Center, is open Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1 to 4:30 p.m. It provides students enough free food to sustain each person in the household for about three days.

For additional information, visit the website or email foodpantry@siu.edu.