Idaho State University opens Benny’s Pantry location at ISU-Idaho Falls Bennion Student Union

IDAHO FALLS – Benny’s Pantry, an initiative within the Student Affairs division of Idaho State University to provide food for ISU students, staff and faculty in need, will open a second location in Room 218 of the Bennion Student Union at University Place in Idaho Falls.

The pantry will distribute non-perishable foods in an effort to help relieve food insecurity in the ISU community. Food insecurity is defined as not having access to adequate nutritious food or not knowing if there will be adequate food for a next meal. ISU’s Benny’s Pantry is managed by the ISU LEAD Center for Orientation, Leadership and Service and staffed with trained volunteers.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Benny’s Pantry location was held today, Oct. 29.

“This has been a very successful initiative on the ISU Pocatello campus since the first Benny’s Pantry location was opened in January 2014,” said Brooke Barber, ISU director of Orientation, Leadership and Service. “We are excited to now be opening this Benny’s Pantry location in Idaho Falls.”

The idea for an ISU campus food pantry was conceived by ISU First Lady Laura Vailas, a registered dietitian with professional experience in community nutrition.

“We know there are students and staff in Idaho Falls who could use the same kind of help Benny’s Pantry has provided to the ISU community in Pocatello,” Vailas said. “We don’t want anyone lacking adequate, wholesome food. We want to extend the success of Benny’s Pantry to our community in Idaho Falls.”

Operational hours for the Idaho Falls Benny’s Pantry during the semester are Tuesdays, noon-2 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; and Thursdays, noon-2 p.m.. During operational hours, clients may use their Bengal ID to shop the pantry without disclosing personal financial information.

Food donations to the Idaho Falls Benny’s Pantry can be made to the Information Desk at the Bennion Union during regular operational hours. Tax-deductible monetary donations to Benny’s Pantry can be submitted through the Idaho State University Foundation online at idahostatefoundation.org.

For more information regarding the Idaho Falls Benny’s Pantry location, contact Ches Barnes, director of the Bennion Student Union, at 282-7866 or barnches@isu.edu.