Serving the Iowa State community since February 2011, the Students Helping Our Peers (SHOP) food pantry has worked to provide an option for students who suffer from food insecurity.
With up to 450 students each week, the SHOP provides food to over 1,100 active visitors.
In the fall of 2010, transfer students from food science and human nutrition pitched the idea for the student organization after researching ways to combat food insecurity on campus. Originally located in room 2616 in the Food Sciences building, the shop operated out of a room the size of a closet. SHOP advisor Breanna Wetzler remarked about the opening days.
“The idea was everyone would bring canned items and fill the shelves, at that point we really felt like as long as we had something on the shelf and the door was open, we were fulfilling our mission as a student organization and we existed that way for a really long time,” said Wetzler.
Currently located in room 1306 of Beyer Hall, the SHOP’s move was during COVID-19-related changes. In the summer of 2020, ISU Dining ran a food pickup spot for students, and as the fall came around, there was a need to continue a similar operation.
“We opened here [Beyer Hall], as when classes are in session,” Wetzler said. “Dining doesn’t have the capacity to do that, it’s not what they’re there for.”
The move to Beyer Hall allowed the SHOP to expand their inventory and double in size over the past year. Future plans include more cooling units and shelves to increase the variety of items.
With the goal of providing for at-risk students, the SHOP has worked to institute changes to ensure the pantry is always stocked. Instead of restocking once a week, the SHOP refills every hour they’re open. While students are not charged for the items they take, the SHOP has added limits for in-demand items. Staff advisor Austin Cook discussed the old system.
“We would fill up our shelves after getting our food… and as soon as we open people would come in and take what they can and our shelves would be empty all week,” said Cook.
By increasing the number of times they restock, and instituting limits for high-demand items, the SHOP aims to have stocked shelves at all times. Limits on items may be frustrating to some, but as Operations Manager Mohammad Alam said, “We are bound to make it as fair and equal as possible.”
Relying on volunteers, the SHOP is always looking for help from students. Volunteers assist with checkout and documenting how many students enter, and how many items are being checked out. Volunteer Emily Pedersen spoke about helping at the shop.
“It’s an incredible way to give back to the Iowa State community and learn a little bit about food insecurity, which affects every single campus,” Pedersen said. “If you’re able to not worry about food insecurity on a daily basis, it’s a great way to step up out of your comfort zone and learn about something that affects one third of the students.”
Students can also help by donating to the SHOP with either food, money, or even plastic bags. The SHOP has a list of acceptable food and toiletry items available on their site, with information on how to donate financially as well. Boxes for plastic bag donations can be found in the vestibules at Thielen Student Health Center as well as at the SHOP itself.
Ultimately, the SHOP is not a solution to food insecurity.
“The shop is meant to be a supplemental food source, and not a primary source,” Wetzler said.
