December 14, 2022
SWOSU Press Release
Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s (SWOSU) Bulldog Food Pantry received a sizable donation of over 800 pounds of food from Caring and Sharing, a charitable program run by the Weatherford Ministerial Alliance (WMA). The Bulldog Food Pantry is open to all SWOSU students who have a Student ID. SWOSU’s goal is for all students to have enough food throughout the semester, and with the help of donations like these, this dream can be made a reality.
Caring and Sharing is a charity established in Weatherford, Oklahoma to help families and single parents encountering financial struggles during the holidays. Each year, local churches and volunteers raise thousands of dollars to purchase gifts for struggling families.
This year’s event was no different. From Friday, Dec. 11 to Saturday, Dec. 12, 18 local congregations within WMA raised thousands of dollars and purchased and distributed gifts to over 500 children from 160 families within the community. Additionally, hams and food baskets were given to each family. Afterward, any food that was not claimed or taken home was donated to SWOSU’s Bulldog Food Pantry, a large donation that will certainly help many students before the holiday.
Volunteers from all over the community come to Caring and Sharing to help organize, wrap gifts, and provide any services that may be needed to provide the necessary support to these families. On shopping day, parents who come to the event have three tiers of gifts to choose from to take to their family. This way, they can be just as involved in the process as they normally are. Caring and Sharing has always been about providing for the children through the parents and is as much for the parents as it is for the children.
The Bulldog Food Pantry is located in the Wellness Center at SWOSU. Students can visit the pantry once per week and receive necessary food and hygiene products. Donations can be made at the Wellness Center, and cash donations can be made online. This resource has been used by hundreds of SWOSU students since it opened its doors in 2021. Interested students should be sure to visit the Wellness Center before leaving after finals.
Please contact Susan Ellis, Wellness Center Director, for more information about the Bulldog Pantry: Susan.Ellis@swosu.edu.
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