Bucky’s Food Pantry preparing for holidays, winter break

With the holiday season approaching on top of the economic strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bucky’s Food Pantry is working to help people in the ETSU community who are struggling with food insecurity.

ETSU students, faculty, staff, alumni and retirees with an ETSU ID are eligible to utilize Bucky’s Food Pantry and can request food by filling out the application on their website.

Bucky’s Food Pantry is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Holiday closure dates will be Nov. 23 through Nov. 27, Dec. 24 through Jan. 1 and Jan. 18.

The last day to request food before Thanksgiving is Nov. 18, and the final date for pickup is Nov. 19 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. or by appointment on Nov. 20. Kristi Smith, Bucky’s Food Pantry co-director and treasurer, said although they will be closed during Thanksgiving, if an emergency arises, someone at the pantry will make sure people have the food they need.

The last day to request food before Christmas is Dec. 16, and the final pickup date is Dec. 17. During ETSU’s winter break from Dec. 14 to Jan. 18, the pantry will have limited hours and offer by-appointment only pickup.

Smith said when they approach a holiday in which they will be closed for an extended period of time, they give clients an additional amount of food.

“For instance, if there’s two people in their home and we give them enough for two, then we’ll double it and give them enough for four,” Smith said.

Bucky’s Food Pantry is not holding any special holiday drives, but they have blue collection boxes with the Bucky’s logo at various locations across campus where people can drop off donations year-round. Chuck Patton, chair of the Bucky’s Food Pantry advisory committee, said donations from people at ETSU help them out substantially.

According to their website, Bucky’s Food Pantry has an immediate need of the following items: spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, canned meat, canned fruit and body wash. A list of ongoing items the pantry is regularly in need of can also be found on their website, and updates of immediate need items are posted on the website and their social media.

Patton noted the importance of helping people with food insecurity every day, but he acknowledged that it is especially important during the holidays, as well as during this pandemic.

“It’s really important that all of our folks in our community and everything understand that it’s important to try to have three squares a day if they can,” Patton said. “And that helps out with their health, especially during COVID. [They] need to make sure that they’re getting the right nutrition and things of that nature.”

He also said they have delivered food to people living off campus who have been in quarantine and isolation.

“We’ve delivered to their doorstep, and we will continue to do that if the need arises,” Patton said.

The pantry usually holds their annual coat drive in the fall, but they did not want to take in used coats this year because of COVID-19. However, they have about 50 coats at the pantry available for people. Patton said they are trying to reach out to some local businesses to see if they will donate new coats. He said they only have adult coats right now, but if a student, faculty or staff member has kids who need coats, the pantry can direct them to ETSU Student Affairs where they can apply to get coats through the CARES Act.

“We’re not just a food pantry,” Smith said. “We try to help with whatever their need may be. If we can’t help them, we will get them the help that they need.”

Smith said students struggling financially who feel like they cannot ask for help is something they see a lot, and she encourages anyone in need to reach out to Bucky’s Food Pantry.

“I think there’s still students on campus that are afraid to ask or they let pride get in the way,” Smith said. “And that’s one reason why we are located where we are, is so that we’re kind of secluded where there’s not a lot of traffic. Folks can’t see who comes in and goes out. We definitely, you know, we’re here for everybody, and we encourage everybody to reach out to us.”

Patton echoed Smith’s sentiment, saying he wants students to not be apprehensive about utilizing their services. He also extends that sentiment to faculty and staff in need as well.

“There’s no judgment or anything like that,” Patton said. “We want to help the folks that need the help, and we’ve got a good atmosphere at the pantry. We have some good folks that work for us, as well as the advisory committee and we understand that things happen, and so we want to be able to help certainly the student body, but even staff and faculty if they need that help.”

Bucky’s Food Pantry is located at 325 Treasure Lane, at the Central Receiving warehouse by Buccaneer Ridge Apartments. People must observe the university’s COVID-19 guidelines when visiting the pantry, including wearing a mask and social distancing. For people who are unable to wear a mask for health reasons, the pantry can arrange contactless delivery to a person’s vehicle when they arrive.

For more information about Bucky’s Food Pantry, visit www.etsu.edu/foodpantry or follow @buckysfoodpantry on Instagram.