KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Students at West Michigan University are receiving some much needed relief from community members gathering food and everyday supplies for them during these difficult times.
A new group comprised of WMU faculty, staff, alumni, parents and others are organizing to collect basic necessities for those attending the university.
Officially called “Pitching in for WMU Students”, it’s led by professor of physics Dr. Michael Famiano. He and countless other volunteers mobilized after noticing increased need among those in the campus community, offering the option for any student to pick up items donated by the public.
Like every other public university in the state, Western Michigan University has suspended in-person classes for the rest of the semester and has closed down nearly all facilities on campus. In March the university also announced that all students except those with extenuating circumstances would have to vacate on campus housing.
Those swift changes paired with fears over COVID-19’s spread and fewer job opportunities have made continuing school a challenge for some students.
Volunteers with the new group hope its food delivery program will put them at ease and help with limiting trips to the grocery store. Since March the number of students seeking supplies has grown from two dozen to more than 400.
Delivery times and locations can be found at the group’s Facebook page. So far the number of donations for the program has outpaced the number of students seeking assistance, and there’s currently no limitations on what items students can take home.
“Many are just relieved that we are able to give them one less thing to worry about. They have been living with worry and uncertainty for a while now, so sometimes it’s nice to know that people care about them—even with the little things,” Famiano told WMU News.
The effort has seen an outpouring of support from Western’s campus and surrounding area. Apart from Famiano, other faculty and staff have taken the opportunity to help solicit and distribute donations.
Michael Worline works as a market specialist for the College of Arts and Sciences, but now he’s busy managing logistics of delivering food to student’s off-campus. Computer Science Professor Dr. Ajay Gupta cooked homemade Indian food and donated it to the program.
Plans are in place to continue deliveries until the last day of final exams on April 23rd, with the possibility of extending the program still being considered.
Those interested in donating to the group can fill out a form, and then leave grocery items on their front porch for pick-up by volunteers. Leaders say the contactless gathering of goods helps ensure the safety of everybody from potential COVID-19 exposure. The group is also accepting money donations, and interested volunteers can fill out a form to join the effort.
Western Michigan University sent out an email to students this week detailing additional school-provided assistance programs. The WMU Invisible Needs Project Pantry is still available for students though by appointment-only now. Registered students will be able to continue picking up items once every two weeks at the location.
The news comes as WMU Cooley Law School is launching a student relief fund.
