The Pantry, Stephen F. Austin State University’s on-campus resource to help students in need, recently added baby supplies to its shelves with help from SFA’s Organization for Women’s Leadership and Equity. All registered SFA students are eligible for food and baby supply distributions. Photo by Sarah Sanchez
“We learned last fall that there was a need for baby-related items in the food pantry on campus, but those were not being stocked,” said Dr. Heather Olson Beal, OWLE faculty co-chair and a professor of education studies.
OWLE worked with staff members in SFA’s Division of Student Affairs to develop a process to inventory and stock these items. Then the organization held a baby product drive to fill The Pantry’s shelves.
“Many of our members are mother-scholars themselves, so helping SFA students with babies and toddlers is personal for us,” said Sarah Sanchez, visiting lecturer of dance and chair of OWLE’s Mentoring, Outreach and Membership Committee, which manages the inventory of baby-related items for The Pantry.
Diapers, baby bottles, pacifiers, bibs and more were collected during the drive.
All registered SFA students are eligible for food and baby supply distributions. To request baby items, students need to complete the online form at sfasu.edu/studentaffairs/1319.asp.
For more information on The Pantry’s donation and volunteer needs, visit sfasu.edu/studentaffairs/1319.asp.
By Jo Gilmore, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.
