Gov. Tomblin Helps Celebrate Opening of New Campus Food Bank

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin helped celebrate the official opening of a new campus food bank to benefit the students of Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 27, at the Ruth Ann Musick Library.

Also on hand to help cut the ribbon were FSU President Maria Rose, Student Government President Jessica Nardo, Director of the Center for Civic Engagement Donna Nuzum and Director of Library Services Thelma Hutchins. The service project ties into the Governor's Day to Serve, which Gov. Tomblin designated as Saturday, Sept. 29.

“The Center for Civic Engagement is pleased to be able to partner with the Ruth Ann Musick Library to create an official food bank to benefit our students. This food bank project grew from the efforts and the heart of the Ruth Ann Musick Library staff – Thelma Hutchins, Debbie Renick and Linda Bartic – who for a long time now have helped students who didn’t have enough groceries to get them through the week,” Nuzum said.

“I would like to thank Fairmont State University President Maria Rose for supporting the creation of the food bank and finding the perfect place to house it. Of course, she knows that all Falcons must have a comfortable home – a nest. We hope that The Nest Student Food Bank is a comforting place for all students in need.”

The new food bank called, The Nest, will be located on the third floor of the Ruth Ann Musick Library. It will be open Mondays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. Students who need extra help with food supplies will be able to use The Nest by showing their student I.D. and filling out a form that will be kept confidential.

To build The Nest, non-perishable foods are needed, especially those that are ready to eat or can be prepared with minimal ingredients. Suggested donations include: canned goods (flip-top cans preferred, but all accepted), microwavable foods (that are not frozen), soup, tuna fish, canned chicken, canned beans, peanut butter, jelly, protein bars, individual fruit cups, individual serving boxes of cereal, shelf milk, pastas, pasta sauces. Items may be dropped off at the Circulation Desk at the Ruth Ann Musick Library.

As part of Homecoming 2012, Student Government has organized a food collection drive from Oct. 8 through 19 as part of its annual community service project.

More collection drives are being planned throughout the academic year. To date, in addition to Athletics, the following departments have committed to make contributions to support The Nest: School of Fine Arts, School of Nursing and Allied Health Administration, Residence Life, Wesley Foundation, Student Government, Alpha Phi Sigma and the American Society of Safety Engineers Student Chapter.

Monetary donations may be sent to The Nest, 1201 Locust Ave., Education Building Room 317, Fairmont, WV 26554. Checks should be made payable to Fairmont State University with “The Nest Student Food Bank” written in the memo line.

For more information, contact Donna Nuzum at (304) 367-4830 or Donna.Nuzum@fairmontstate.edu.

Student GovernmentMaria RoseRuth Ann Musick LibraryDonna NuzumCenter for Civic EngagementGov. Earl Ray TomblinThelma Hutchinsfood bankJessica NardoDebbie RenickLinda Bartic