From The University of Southern Mississippi
Members of the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park community who need food and other essentials, such as toiletries and hygiene products, have a resource right on campus.
USM Gulf Park Office of Student Affairs operates the Gulf Park Pantry, located in Hardy Hall. Faculty and staff members are eligible for items available at the pantry.
USM Gulf Park Student Affairs Coordinator Jessica Langston says the pantry carries a variety of shelf-stable items, including breakfast bars, cereal, pasta and sauce, canned soups and vegetables, rice, and dried and canned beans, among other items. Personal hygiene and paper products also are available, as well as a limited amount of housewares and baby formula.
An online form allows individuals to make a request, schedule pickup and provide information about family size, special requests and allergy concerns. For more information about pickups, individuals are encouraged to email Elizabeth Hand, a graduate assistant in the Office of Student Affairs, at e.moore@usm.edu
Langston says the idea for a food pantry on campus has been discussed in recent years, and the need for help increased with the COVID-19 pandemic. The pantry officially launched in late January and had immediate success with both donations and participation.
“To date, we have completed more than 90 pickups and look forward to pushing our services out to students throughout the fall semester to expand our reach,” Langston says.
Monetary and physical donations may be sent through campus mail to Langston or to:
The University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Park Campus
Jessica Langston, Hardy Hall 238
730 East Beach Boulevard
Long Beach MS, 39560
The pantry also accepts donations of food and supplies in Hardy Hall 242, and through its Amazon and Walmart Wish Lists.
For more information, call (228) 214-3341; or email Langston at jessica.langston@usm.edu or Hand at e.moore@usm.edu.