Answering the call

The Raider Food Pantry is hosting a Holiday Food Drive to collect donations during November. An influx of students needing food assistance this semester has caused the pantry’s food supply to dwindle, so the pantry is asking for your help.

Donations can be dropped off at the Raider Food Pantry at 055 Student Union weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. You can also donate items from the food pantry’s Amazon wish list.

Several Wright State organizations recently dropped off needed food and supplies to the pantry.

The Residential Community Association donated canned goods collected from students who participated in its “Nightmare on Springwood Lane” Halloween event.

“We’ve been waiting on this because we desperately needed some can goods,” said Tylar O’Neal-White, student advocate and case manager in the Office of Student Advocacy and Wellness and manager of the Raider Food Pantry. “Our students are really helpful and grateful.”

For the third consecutive year, the Wright State University Police Department participated in No-Shave November and officers’ follicle neglect benefited the Raider Food Pantry.

On Nov. 23, officers filled up their cruisers with items purchased from Sam’s Club in Beavercreek, then donated to the pantry almost $1,700 of nonperishable food items and toiletries, including chicken noodle soup, cereal, peanut butter crackers and much-needed water and toilet paper.

“This year we had the entire department involved,” said Kurt Holden, interim director of public safety. “Answering the need in our community is what we do.”

The Wright State Police Department has donated $3,200 in groceries to the Raider Food Pantry over the past three years.

“We are really thankful for the support,” said O’Neal-White. “Being able to be that resource for students is really nice.”