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Marian University is sponsored by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes. In this article, Sister Edie shares the mission of Mother Agnes’ Pantry, a ministry that addresses the needs of a vulnerable population (college students), who are not often considered when speaking about food insufficiency. Mother Agnes is one of the Founders of the Sisters of St. Agnes and the first General Superior of the Congregation. 

 

We started the Mother Agnes Pantry in January 2018 due to our students’ need for food and personal hygiene items. The students would come to Campus Ministry and tell me that they were hungry and had no money for food after paying for their tuition, rent and other monthly needs.  Since 2018 we have had over 200 students use the food pantry—both men and women of all grade levels. Usually the students using the food pantry are those who do not have a food plan on campus, and who live in apartments or with their parents who cannot afford food at the end of the month. 

 

Here at Marian University, we are lucky enough to have a program called The Working Families Grant. This program, funded by an anonymous grant, provides an opportunity for single mothers and fathers to get an education at Marian University with paid tuition, along with a rent stipend, and a small food stipend. We see many families from this group who use the Mother Agnes food pantry at the end of the month if they run short of money and food. 

 

A student who uses the food pantry told me that we were a blessing to her, because she didn’t often know where her next meal would come from. I feel blessed to be able to help the students with food and hygiene items. The donations come from the faculty, staff, and community members, along with donations from the Sisters of St. Agnes. This year with the onset of Covid-19 we were able to get donations of disposable and cloth masks and hand sanitizer. We try to be on top of the needs of the students. One of the Core Values of Marian University is Community. I believe here at Mother Agnes Pantry, we live out the Core Value just by being here for the students and meeting their needs.

By Sister Edie Crews, CSA
Campus Minister at Marian University
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

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