The Table: Student Needs Pantry & Services

Finlandia Campus Ministry, with the generous support of the Seibert Lutheran Foundation, has established a place to provide those in need with food and basic essentials.

Hours

Mission

The mission of “The Table” is to fight hunger and help provide for basic needs of Finlandia students by offering items to those in need, and at the same time, to further develop a sense of health and wellness through providing information, guest speakers, cooking/healthy living lessons, a place to prepare food and gather together in meal and thanks. “The Table” is designed to provide students nutritional food and basic needs (toiletries, etc.) in times of need. “The Table” aligns itself with additional services and resources on campus that promote the overall well-being of its students.

“The Table” is more than a food pantry. It is many things. It is a place for everyone.

It is located in the Campus Ministry Center, in the lower level of the Chapel of St. Matthew. A former office space has been cleaned, repainted, and new food grade shelving has been installed.

Your donations of food and basic personal care items can be dropped off anytime at the Campus Ministry Center.

“The Table” has been developed by many people. Sincere thanks to our Alternative Spring Break students Ashlee Kranz, Kayla Olson, Chi Nguyen, and Tomoyuki Ishizuka, Liisa Beck for her design specs and assistance, and to George Kallas, James VanKleeck, Nicole Kotila, former campus pastor Soren Schmidt and his daughter Olive.

Members of CUFBA (College and University Food bank Alliance).

The Table – A Student Needs Pantry application

WHAT IS “THE TABLE” all about?

“The Table” is a multi-functional space to serve our campus community, especially our commuter students, in a new expression of community outreach.

1. It is a storage/pantry space for FOOD … and we are attempting  to provide fresh food options in cooperation with the Ryan Street Community Garden and other local farms and organizations.
2. It is a storage/pantry space for BASIC NEEDS … simple essentials like certain toiletries, hygiene products, and laundry supplies.
3. It is a place to share community meals … where all are invited to “the table,” together preparing, cooking, eating, and sharing time with one another.
4. It is a place of discussion … a place at “the table” to discuss how we can continue to serve our campus community and students in the best ways possible, identifying those in need and what is needed.
5. The Table” is a place to pray and gather … together so we may uplift and encourage the spiritual needs of one another.

Read about “The Table” hosting a Feed America event in 2015.

How to Help – Supporting “The Table”

Finlandia University’s “The Table” is stocked entirely by donations from caring individuals and groups who are committed to helping “The Table” and those Finlandia students in need. The viability of “The Table” is directly linked to your generosity. On behalf of Finlandia students, thank you for your support.

There are a variety of ways that individuals and groups can help support “The Table”. Some information is provided here, but please don’t hesitate to call and speak with a Coordinator (Campus Pastor or Ministry work-study) to discuss your interests.

Drop Off Donations

Finlandia University’s “The Table”, welcomes drop-off donations during regular Campus Ministry hours. “The Table” is equipped to distribute non-perishable food items (as well as a limited supply of perishable food items) and select personal care and basic needs items to Finlandia students. We have only limited facilities to safely store perishable food items and therefore any items as such will be quickly announced for fast pick up.

There are also drop-off locations at these sites:

• Jutila Center Front Desk
• Maki Library
• In front of TRiO and Student Services
• Finlandia Hall front desk
• Mannerheim Central

“The Table” strives not only to provide for basic needs of the students, but to also do this with a conscious effort to focus on providing healthier food and living options. Therefore, while all donations are generously accepted, we also seek to educate others and gather in items that provide for safer and healthier living, such as (but not limited to): organic, natural, fresh, low sodium, low preservatives and added sugars, etc.

Following general needs of students and general collections of other similar places, there is an indication that protein is the highest demand item. The following make excellent donations:

If you prefer to make a monetary donation please bring a check, made out to Finlandia “The Table”, to either the Campus Pastor (in the Chapel, lower level) or Human Resources (Old Main). Donated gift cards to food retailers are also welcome. Gift card donations should also be brought to the Campus Pastor.

Volunteering

Although we don’t have the space to accommodate on-site volunteers at “The Table” on a regular basis, from time to time we may have a need for volunteer support with food drives or special events.

Planning a Food Drive / Bagging Groceries for Funds

Organizations, Departments, and individuals can make a significant contribution to “The Table” by organizing Food Drives and/or gathering a group together to bag groceries that will gather funds for “The Table”. There’s no single way to run a Food Drive, but we have some tips to offer interested individuals and groups. Bagging groceries for Funds is an active program through Tadych’s EconoFoods in Houghton, MI.

Are you ready to get started with planning a Food Drive or Bagging Groceries for Funds to benefit “The Table”? Contacting “The Table” and then setting a time with EconoFoods is a wonderful way to provide servant leadership. Coordinators can assist and/or provide direction for these activities. Please contact us to let us know so that we can help support your efforts.

Plan A Food Drive or Bag groceries for funds to assist “The Table”

Interested in gathering a group to bag groceries to collect funds for “The Table”? Please contact us using the information below.