University of Idaho will Start Student Pantry

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — The University of Idaho plans to open a food pantry next month amid concerns about low-income student nutrition. The Moscow-Pullman Daily News reports that the pantry on the first floor of the Student Union Building is tentatively set to open Jan. 15 and has more than 650 pounds of food donations from university food drives.

Dean of Students Bruce Pitman says paying rent and buying food are some of the most common problems students face because they underestimate the cost of going to school. Maggie Hand of the Center for Volunteerism says the need for a food pantry has grown because of rising tuition costs and an increase in first generation students trying to understand the financial aspect of college.