| Volunteers for the Liberal Arts Pantry process donations received at the annual Pack the Pantry Food Drive, Sept. 12, 2026. From Left: Bob Bourgeois, Jennifer Kershaw and Tayvion Lilly. |
| By Shilyn Carheel The Poke Press The Liberal Arts Pantry has reopened for the 2026-2027 year, providing free resources for students in need. The Liberal Arts Pantry, located on the third floor of Kaufman Hall, offers items such as food, hygiene products, cleaning supplies and other essentials to aid students. The pantry takes donations from donors to aid students; things like rice, cereal, bottled water, canned food and personal care items are just some of the items you can get at the pantry. Opened in 2024, the Liberal Arts Pantry is run by Amy Veuleman, co-Department Head for the Mass Communication Department. The McNeese Alumni Association acts as a partner in addressing food insecurity among the student population. The second annual Pack the Pantries food drive was held Saturday, Sept. 12, at the McNeese Alumni Center before the home football game, with help from members of the Faculty Senate and the School of Agricultural Sciences. “This year, we delivered a truckload of food and personal hygiene items to the pantry in the College of Liberal Arts,” Veuleman said. “We appreciate this partnership, which allows us to better serve the needs of students throughout the semester.” The pantry has received financial support from the DeRidder location of AMERISAFE. In addition, several community organizations have planned fundraisers to support the pantry financially, through the McNeese Foundation, while local churches assist in gathering direct donations for the pantry. The pantry is open five days a week. For assistance in accessing the pantry, students can go to Kaufman Hall, Room 111. Students should keep a lookout for pantry events and be aware of the resources available to them. |
