Horizon Credit Union donates $1,000 to aid Viking Food Pantry

MOSES LAKE — Thanks to Horizon Credit Union, and the generosity of Big Bend Community College student Cameron Shurtz, a $1,000 donation is making its way to the Viking Food Pantry to help combat food insecurity on campus.

Shurtz recently entered the credit union’s Learn and Earn Challenge, where participants could win $100 weekly cash prizes, or a $1,000 grand prize, for completing fun, financial education courses throughout the month of April. Winners also got to choose a local food bank or Meals on Wheels program to receive a matching donation from Horizon.

Shurtz won the grand prize drawing and chose the Viking Food Pantry to receive the matching $1,000 donation.

“It was important for me to choose the Viking Food Pantry to donate to because I feel that they offer an extremely important service to the college. This service has not only benefited me but so many other people I know as well,” said Shurtz. “With this donation, I know that they’ll continue to help even more future students.”

Shurtz is currently in his second year at Big Bend. He plans on transferring to Washington State University to study genetics and cell biology, with the goal of becoming a genetic counselor.

Shurtz is an active member of Phi Theta Kappa and is currently the club’s Vice President of Service.

Big Bend ABAWD Navigator Carmen Ramirez said the donation will go a long way in helping stock food pantry shelves.

Since opening three years ago, the Viking Food Pantry has become a major resource on campus, providing those in need with access to nutritious food, non-perishables, and personal care products.

Each quarter the food pantry distributes between upwards of 3,000 to 4,000 pounds of food to students. This includes fresh produce, meat, dairy, eggs and various non-perishables such as grab and go microwave meals, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and top ramen.

The food pantry receives a portion of its food through its partnership with the Moses Lake Food Bank. The rest is from generous donations from college faculty and staff, student clubs and members of the community.

“The Viking Food Pantry benefits from such donations because it allows us to provide nourishment to our students, which improves their health and well-being,” said Ramirez.

The Viking Food Pantry is operating by appointment only this quarter. Students can make arrangements to pick up food by calling (509) 793-2069 or (509) 793-2081 during the college’s regular business hours.

For more information, visit the Viking Food Pantry webpage.