ASWSU Proposes Food Pantry Funding Referendum

PULLMAN, WA- Members of ASWSU have banded together to create a referendum that helps fund food banks and help college students in need of food.

The referendum was created by Oluwanifemi Shola-Dare and Jelani Christopher in an effort to create more stable funding for food banks on Wazzu’s campus.

Shola-Dare says that there hasn’t been a stable, steady supply of food given to these food banks. The only way source of provisions for these food pantries has come from the good hearts of the Pullman community, something Shola-Dare is grateful for.

She says the main goal in creating the referendum is to make sure that there is someone on campus who is solely responsible for making sure that these food banks are staying full and ready for students in need to collect provisions.

The referendum proposes that a five-dollar fee be applied to all WSU students in order to maintain a stable source of income for all university associated food banks. This part of the proposal has led to some becoming hesitant to support the initiative.

With the pandemic still in play and many fees having been added to students accounts, there are those that don’t want the fees to be raised.  

Shola-Dare says she understands that another student fee isn’t ideal, but she hopes students will take the initiative to help those in need.

“Cougs help Cougs. That’s what we’re relying on and we’re hoping that students care about the community and care about students who are food-insecure,” says Shola-Dare.

The referendum has not yet been passed, but Shola-Dare and other ASWSU members are hopeful that it will be passed when the time to vote comes around.