NIU Campus Dining Services is providing faculty and staff with a way to support the Huskie Food Pantry, while getting a good deal on meals for themselves.
For every faculty and staff member who purchases a 30 or 60 meal plan before Aug. 26, Campus Dining Services will donate five meals to the Huskie Food Pantry. The meals will be given to students who utilize the food pantry.
The Huskie Food Pantry was established on campus September 2016 to support NIU students who struggle with food insecurity. Last year, about 80 students per week utilized its services. The pantry, which is located in the Chick Evans Field House, provides students foods such as eggs, rice, pasta, meats, soups, fruits and vegetables.
“Food insecurity is a serious problem on college campuses across the nation, and NIU is not immune,” says Dan Koenen, executive director of Campus Dining Services. “This is an opportunity for faculty and staff to work toward the goal of all students having access to nutritious food to support their health needs and educational goals.”
NIU’s faculty and staff meal plans provide access to dine in Gilbert, Neptune and New Hall, all of which offer all-you-care-to-eat dining. . In addition to daily specials, the dining halls also offer salad bars, stir fry stations, pizza, sandwiches and desserts each day. The plans can also be used at the newly renovated Stevenson food court. Specific information on daily menus at each location is available on the dining web site and thru the mobile app.
Two meal plans are available: 30 meals at $200 and 60 meals at $350. Both plans extend through the entire year. The meal plans can be purchased online via credit card or through payroll deduction.
“Not only is this a way to build community by having faculty and staff dine with students, it also allows us to support students in a very tangible way,” said Koenen.
