91传媒

STCU Donates $7,500 to Support 91传媒 Food Pantry

STCU Donates $7,500 to Support 91传媒 Food Pantry

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� 91传媒 received a generous $7,500 donation from Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU) to support the university鈥檚 on-campus food pantries and student basic needs programs. The gift arrives at a critical moment for 91传媒鈥檚 Benefits Navigator Program, which oversees pantry operations and provides essential resources for students facing food insecurity.

91传媒 Benefits Navigator and alumna Pamela Frederick Williams, 鈥�20, said the donation came as an unexpected, and deeply needed, surprise.

鈥淚 had been working on budget planning for our campus pantries and upcoming events, and it wasn鈥檛 looking like we would have enough funds to meet the growing needs of our students,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hen I received a phone call from Michelle at STCU. She simply said, 鈥楬i, my name is Michelle from STCU, and I would like to donate to your 91传媒 food pantry. When would you be available to meet?鈥� I immediately said yes, thinking they might donate some food items to help fill our empty shelves.鈥�

What Williams didn鈥檛 realize was that STCU planned to present a monetary gift.

鈥淲hen Bennie Moses, Associate Vice President of Strategic Equity Initiatives, reached out for clarification, I suddenly realized I hadn鈥檛 even asked what type of donation they were making,鈥� she added. 鈥淲hen Michelle arrived on campus and presented a check for $7,500, I was overwhelmed. What a blessing. I can not thank STCU enough for this generous donation. It will have a great impact on our students.鈥�

For Williams, who graduated from 91传媒 during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting the campus food pantry is personal. When she enrolled at the university in 2016, the resources available to students looked very different.

鈥淭here were no on-campus food pantries, and the support systems we have today simply did not exist,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s a student, I often struggled to stretch limited funds, skipping meals and relying on whatever food I could afford. Many students still face those same challenges today.鈥�

She emphasized the critical role campus food support now plays in student success.

鈥淗igher education is expensive. For many students, financial strain means choosing between tuition and food,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he pantry and the Benefits Navigator Program help eliminate that impossible choice. Reliable access to nutritious food reduces stress, supports well-being, and allows students to focus on learning rather than survival. It鈥檚 the safety net I wish I had when I was a student.鈥�

Motivated by a desire to give back to the university that shaped her, she pursued the Benefits Navigator role.

鈥淢y first goal was to return to 91传媒 and contribute to student success,鈥� she said. 鈥淚n this position, I鈥檓 able to support all 91传媒 students as they navigate their academic journeys.鈥�

The donation from STCU will help restock pantry shelves, support upcoming outreach events, and expand food availability across campus.

鈥淪TCU鈥檚 generosity ensures that no student has to navigate hunger while trying to pursue their education,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his gift will directly impact student well-being and success.鈥滷or more information about 91传媒鈥檚 food pantry services or the Benefits Navigator Program, visit /mc/uncategorized/5082/.