Sodexo donates $1,000 to aid Viking Food Pantry

MOSES LAKE —  Sodexo’s Stop Hunger Foundation made a $1,000 donation to the Viking Food Pantry this week to help combat food insecurity on the Big Bend Community College campus.

Food insecurity, or being without reliable access to affordable and nutritious food, is one of many boundaries that can keep college students from getting an education. Recognizing this, Sodexo decided to donate to the food pantries on several of the college campuses they operate in.

The Big Bend donation was facilitated by Sodexo general manager Jenn Richards.

“I had hoped to make a difference in the community here, so when I heard about Sodexo doing donations to local campuses for their food pantry I immediately entered Big Bend Community College,” said Richards.

Sodexo created the non-profit Stop Hunger Foundation in 1999. Their mission is to ensure that every child in the United States grows up with dependable access to enough nutritious food to enable them to lead a healthy, productive life. 

The organization mobilizes volunteers, including Sodexo employees, clients, customers, and youth to contribute to hunger-free communities around the world. Sodexo employees support Stop Hunger year-round by donating their time, resources and expertise, holding fundraisers and encouraging others to get involved.

Globally, Stop Hunger is present in 44 countries, with the goal of being in all 80 countries where Sodexo does business. 

“I believe in this organization and have worked with it before. I have seen the results of how it can impact those involved,” said Richards. “I am very excited to present the donation to the campus and look forward to seeing the results it presents.”

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. To date, nearly 36,000 pounds of food and more than 4,000 personal items have been distributed.

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 donations.

“The Viking Food Pantry relies on the kindness of the Big Bend Community to serve our staff and students,” said BBCC Workforce Education Services Coordinator Mackenzie Noyola. “The award from Sodexo’s ‘Stop Hunger’ Campaign will tremendously help our students during this holiday season, and the coming months. We will be able to stock the pantry with items that are in high demand and often low supply – such as meats and condiments.”

The Viking Food Pantry is located in the 1500 building, in room 1501. For more information and current hours, click HERE!