“No one should ever feel ashamed because they’re in need,” says Caleah Wells, a graduate assistant at The Rack at West Virginia University.
The Rack is a food pantry for WVU students. The food at The Rack is free to any student in need. After filling out a one-time intake form, students are free to come to The Rack whenever they like.
Three of the biggest draws of the rack are: it’s anonymous, it relies on an honor system, and it’s free.
The anonymity of The Rack enables students to come get the free food or other products that they need without feeling self-conscious. The Rack is tucked away in a corner of the Mountain Lair in the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership. This allows students to come in and out of The Rack without anyone knowing. Shopping bags are donated from the Barnes and Noble book store, so that when students leave the pantry their peers think they have a bag of books, not a bag of food.
The Rack relies on an honor system: students are asked to only take what they need and only fill out one intake form the first time they come. However, Wells and The Rack’s administrative secretary Aimee Williams agree that students are very respectful of the system. Williams says that, “All of the students seem to really and truly appreciate The Rack.”
Wells also explained that, “There’s so many things here on campus that’re based on regulation […] and I don’t think numbers particularly show always what a person’s need might be.”
For Madisen Scardina, who stops by The Rack about once a week, the biggest draw is the fact that it’s free. “I’m a student and I don’t have a job. I’m just in classes, so free anything is good.”
Food is donated from outside sources and also bought with grant money secured by The Rack’s director Miss Jackie. The Rack offers typical pantry items like canned goods, packaged snacks, granola bars and microwavable meals. However, they also supply a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, and bread donated from Panera Bread. The Rack also provides toiletries such as deodorant, razors, toothpaste and feminine products, and even things like diapers and toilet paper.
According to Wells, “There should never be an excuse for someone to go hungry on this campus. There’s just so many resources and I think we’re just one of many resources here on campus that are willing to help students who may get in those sticky situations.”
Williams and Wells both agree that the main goal of The Rack is to make life a little easier for students and to help students focus on achieving their educational goals by providing them with food and basic essentials.
