The Owens Harvest Food Pantry in Perrysburg served significantly more people in the last year. Student visits more than doubled from the fall semester to the spring semester. Research shows food insecurity affects one in seven adults in northwest Ohio. It also affects one in five children in the region.
The pantry opened in 2012 to help students who struggle to buy food. Krista Kiessling serves as the director of campus and community connections at Owens. Any student can walk in without meeting eligibility rules, Kiessling said.
“We exist just to help support our students while they are attending classes and hopefully supplement some of their financial stress. Any student can walk in.”
Visits jumped following changes to SNAP requirements and other shifts in government. Kiessling said the facility now sees between 700 and 800 people per month. Summer numbers reached 300 to 500 people served each month.
Student mentor Letitia Hatch previously relied on the facility for help. Hatch moved to the Perrysburg area from New York and used the pantry after classes.
“It helped me close a giant gap because I didn’t know where to go, and having that resource right on campus, I was able to swing by after class and get food right away.”
Staff members also connect visitors to transportation, utility, and social service assistance. The pantry received a $2,500 grant from the Food Recovery Network. That money will fund a new cooler to store leftovers from campus events.
The Community Fridge will sit inside the Center for Campus and Community Connections in College Hall. The resource allows workers to give extra event food to students instead of throwing meals away.
Food pantries provide emergency grocery supplies to individuals facing economic challenges. Campus programs operate directly within academic buildings to support enrolled students. They link visitors with regional assistance.
Campus leaders continue to offer aid to students who need daily supplies in Perrysburg. Staff members direct visitors to local help.
