Viterbo’s Food Pantries Fight Hunger

Viterbo University has always represented itself as a charitable establishment. One of the ways it demonstrates this quality is through the on-campus food pantries.

There are currently three different food pantries stationed across the campus: one on the third floor of the Murphy Center, another on the second floor of the Fine Arts Center, and the third right outside of The Port, Viterbo’s recently-developed student lounge adjacent to the Marian laundry room. 

The pantries themselves are organized by Campus Ministry. The group ensures that the pantries remain “no-questions-asked" pantries, which means any student at any time can take food for free, no matter the reason.

This resource exists to ensure students in need do not have to worry about going hungry, despite their current financial situation. A primary concern of Campus Ministry right now is just making sure students are aware of the pantries’ existence.

In recent years, the group has seen food disappear more and more rapidly, which they believe directly correlates to their message spreading to more students.

As positive as this is, it means the group must put in more of an effort to stock the pantries with their usual supply of goodies. These generally include dinners and healthy alternatives including spaghetti, macaroni, cans of fruits and vegetables, as well as snacks, such as caramel apples around Halloween.

While a lot of the food is donated, most of it comes from the Hunger Task Force, a Milwuakee-based group that helps stock up food pantries to combat hunger in Wisconsin. 

Emilio Alvarez is the organizer of Viterbo’s food pantries. In an article he wrote detailing their mission and success, Alvarez shared, “Last year alone, we received 5,000 pounds of food assistance.”

As the pantries continue to help an increasing number of students each year, Alvarez sees the community service effort as a great example of the university’s focus on the values taught by St. Francis, writing, “I am grateful that we continue to live our Franciscan Core Values in such a way that it allows our students to have access to this resource.” 

Campus Ministry only hopes the food pantries will continue to grow and help those who need it most.