Mary Ann Coughlin Pride Pantry
About the Mary Ann Coughlin Pride Pantry
In 2018, Springfield College established the Mary Ann Coughlin Pride Pantry as a way to address the food insecurity of students, faculty, and staff on campus. This issue was brought to the attention of administrators by students who reported that their budgets did not allow them to purchase enough food to get through each month. The on-campus store offers free food and other supplies (e.g., small household items and clothing) to those in need. The Mary Ann Coughlin Pride Pantry is operated by the College’s Center for Service and Leadership. It serves campus community members who are experiencing limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods.
There are many reasons that members of the campus community may need to take advantage of the offerings of the Mary Ann Coughlin Pride Pantry—a problem that is experienced on many college and university campuses across the country. For students specifically, experiencing food insecurity can have negative effects on their health and academic performance.
The College has embarked on other ways to deal with food insecurity on campus. Springfield College joined the Swipe Out Hunger movement in February 2022. Through Swipe Out Hunger, the leading nonprofit organization that helps find solutions regarding hunger among college students, Springfield College students can donate their extra meals to students in need. Check out the results of a 2023 Swipe Out Hunger survey conducted of college campus pantries.
Who the Mary Ann Coughlin Pride Pantry Serves
Students, faculty, and staff experiencing food insecurity may access the Mary Ann Coughlin Pride Pantry for one bag of groceries once a week, either in person or by ordering online.
Where the Mary Ann Coughlin Pride Pantry Donations Come From
There are a variety of ways through which food and other supplies are donated to the Mary Ann Coughlin Pride Pantry.
From the Campus Community: The Pride Pantry accepts donations year-round. You can bring non-perishable food that is unopened and unexpired during open hours or bring them to the Center for Service and Leadership in the Flynn Campus Union, Room 335.
From the Western Massachusetts Food Bank: The College has a membership with the Food Bank, which means access to a greater variety and quantity of food. The Food Bank allows the College to order as much food as needed, although types of foods and quantities vary week to week.
From the Food Recovery Network: Once a week, this student group recovers prepared food from Cheney Hall that would typically be thrown away. It is re-packaged into smaller serving containers and made available through the Pride Pantry.
From Starbucks and Harvest Table: Periodically, a local Starbucks will donate sandwiches and coffee, while Harvest Table, our campus dining services partner, will donate food from catered events on campus. Emails are sent out to the campus community on the days that food from Starbucks or Harvest Table are made available.
Types of Food and Supplies Offered
Food and supplies available at the Pride Pantry run the gamut from canned goods to pasta and sauce to laundry detergent and hygiene products. Refrigerated items like yogurt, cheese, and butter are available at times as well as frozen meats and vegetables. The amount and variety of items changes, depending on donations from the various sources.
How You Can Help
Besides donating actual items, monetary donations are also accepted. If donating by check, make it payable to “Springfield College” and note that it's for the Mary Ann Coughlin Pride Pantry, and bring it to Charlene Elvers at the Center for Service and Leadership. If donating online, go to springfield.edu/give and put “Pride Pantry” in the designation box.
Most-Needed Items
There are times that certain items most in need run low or are no longer available at the Mary Ann Coughlin Pride Pantry. Those could include unopened toiletry and hygiene items, such as toothpaste, floss, lip balm or Vaseline, and body wash. Be on the lookout for emails requesting specific donations and check back on this page for an update on what is needed most.
