You Can Still Give!

Although the project has ended, you can still support Southern Miss students, faculty and staff by making a gift to the Eagle's Nest Food Pantry. Please visit: usmfoundation.com/give.

                                 Who are we? 

We are USM's food pantry, run by graduate students from the School of Social Work, and derived and supported by the Student Association of Social Workers. We are dedicated to providing students, faculty and staff with food security and basic necessities. At the Eagle’s Nest, we strongly believe that nutritious food is a basic human right and should not be forfeited nor pose as a barrier when pursuing higher education. As engaged citizens of Southern Miss, we support the University as we consistently embody its mission, vision and values as we strive to foster student success, personal growth and a lifelong commitment to wellness by promoting social responsibility through mutually supportive campus-wide connections.

                                  What is our mission?

The Eagle's Nest Food Pantry provides on-campus resources and support for USM students, faculty and staff who are temporarily experiencing challenges accessing basic necessities.  To celebrate our 1 year birthday, our goal is to ensure that our pantry's shelves are never empty, as we continue to serve and support the Southern Miss community. 

                   Why do universities need food pantries?  

• 75% of students are “non-traditional,” meaning they support families and/or work full-time jobs/multiple jobs.  

• Tuition has increased, while wages for a majority of workers have remained stagnant.  

• 32% of students report that food insecurity compromised their full potential in school, leading them to miss class due to feeling sick and unable to concentrate, ultimately dropping a class or even dropping out of school. 

• Congressional Report, "Alarming Snapshot of Adjunct Faculty," reports that 75.5% of academia is composed of adjunct faculty who live at or below the national poverty line.

• 50% of citizens in Mississippi have higher health care costs due to lack of food security.

• International, out-of state and homeless students experience significant challenges ensuring consistent housing, accessing transportation and securing consistent healthy meals (particularly during school holidays).

Who is eligible for services? 

        USM students, faculty and staff.

What's new this year at The Nest?

• MHAC-Mississippi Health Access Collaborative - Assistance with signing individuals up for market place, Medicaid, CHIP and SNAP.
• Free Health Screenings - Provided by Southern Mississippi Rural Health Initiative. 
• Backpack program - Backpacks filled with child friendly foods are sent home every weekend to children at the Child Development Center.
• Recipes have been created using ingredients from the pantry and are dorm friendly.
• And so much more to come!

Where is The Eagle’s Nest Food Pantry? 

 Basement of the HUB - right across from the ticket office in the stadium.

Hours of operation

Monday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

Friday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

Want to see where your donations go directly to?

Check out this tour of the Eagle's Nest https://youtu.be/P4ln3SvqAxo or stop by and check us out! 

Like us on Facebook: @USMnest 

For further questions, email Torri at SASW@usm.edu. We'll be providing regular updates about how and what to donate- and what's new at Eagle's Nest.  

On behalf of the Eagle’s Nest, students, faculty and staff of University of Southern Mississippi, we thank you in advance for your support and donations as we work together to keep propelling Southern Miss To The TOP!

References: (College and University Food Bank Alliance, 2016)