April

Roadrunner Food Pantry open house Monday

Come see the new location and learn more about the former MSU Denver Food Bank.

By Matt Watson

April 12, 2018

The Roadrunner Food Pantry, formerly known as the Metropolitan State University of Denver Food Bank, is hosting an open house from 10 a.m. to noon Monday in Tivoli 262 and the adjacent Multicultural Lounge.

Come check out the permanent space and learn about the new features within the Roadrunner Food Pantry, which include a new refrigerator/freezer that was donated by the Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Events.

Sweet treats will be provided for the open house by Blackboard Eats, another partner of the Roadrunner Food Pantry.

“This is an opportunity to showcase the new space in the second floor of the Tivoli, recognize some of our donors from this past year and talk about partnerships that we have with HTE, Food Bank of the Rockies, Starbucks and others,” said Kelli Frank, director for behavioral intervention and student conduct in the Department of Student Engagement and Wellness.

The Roadrunner Food Pantry serves 200 to 300 students per semester.

“We’re consistently busy. In terms of food, we always have need. We don’t have a baseline budget, so we have to find food donated from the community,” Frank said. 

Donations are not necessary to come to the open house, but for those who wish to give, the pantry accepts refrigerated and frozen items in addition to nonperishables. Some popular cold items with students are frozen fruits and vegetables and frozen meals such as Lean Cuisines or Hot Pockets.

“We always need ready-to-eat foods,” Frank said. “Anything that can be microwaved, like a plastic soup container. Mac and cheese and ramen are things that are always in demand with college students too.”

She said the pantry also needs proteins such as canned meat, nut butters and nuts, as well as snack foods such as pretzels, granola bars, popcorn and fresh fruit.

The pantry accepts drop-off donations during its Monday-Thursday hours, which are listed on the website.