Campus Spotlight: How BGSU’s Falcon Food Pantry is Fighting Food Insecurity and Building Community

This blog is written by:

Ashley Alvarez: Ashley Alvarez — a member of Swipe Out Hunger’s Student Leadership and Advisory Council — is a first-generation Mexican American graduate student from Pharr, TX, a town along the U.S.-Mexico border. She will soon be graduating with a Master’s in Public Administration from Bowling Green State University this Spring. Ashley is deeply committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and access for underserved communities. Her experience spans food insecurity advocacy, youth mentorship, and diversity leadership across both academic and nonprofit sectors, with a passion for uplifting marginalized voices through policy and community-driven initiatives.

As a first-generation Mexican American student, I’ve experienced firsthand how food insecurity can impact daily life. Growing up, my family relied on food assistance, which shaped my passion for advocating for food security. As a graduate student at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), I have had the privilege of working with the Falcon Food Pantry. This vital resource ensures students don’t have to choose between paying rent and eating meals.

What started in Spring 2022 as a small initiative has now grown into a campus-wide effort, serving 1,300 students per month! This success is thanks to a dedicated team working to expand resources, reduce stigma, and build a community around food access. To highlight the impact of the Falcon Food Pantry, I spoke with Dr. Shannon Orr (Pantry Director), Michaela Ernst (Graduate Assistant), and Emma Greulich (Intern and Grant Recipient).

1. What does your day-to-day look like?
Dr. Shannon Orr – Pantry Director:
I oversee funding, partnerships, and long-term sustainability to keep the pantry running. Every day, I work with faculty, local businesses, and student leaders to secure donations, manage food distribution, and advocate for Ohio House Bill 590, which could provide statewide support for campus food insecurity.

Michaela Ernst – Graduate Assistant:
I manage interns, volunteers, and daily pantry operations. Some days, I coordinate food pickups from Panera and Einstein’s Bakery; on others, I organize outreach events. I aim to make the pantry accessible and ensure students know it’s a safe, welcoming space.

Emma Greulich – Intern & Grant Recipient:
In addition to my daily responsibilities as an intern, I’ve worked on a grant project to expand internship opportunities and raise awareness about food insecurity’s historical context in Wood County. This project will help students beyond the food pantry get involved in research and advocacy.


2. What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Dr. Shannon Orr – Pantry Director:
It is so fulfilling to see students become comfortable using the pantry. Some hesitate at first, but once they realize it’s a judgment-free zone, they return—and even bring their friends!

Michaela Ernst – Graduate Assistant:
The best part is the community we’ve built. Interns become friends, and students support each other. The pantry is more than just food—it’s a space where students feel valued and connected.

Emma Greulich– Intern & Grant Recipient:
Winning the grant for my project was a big moment. It showed that people care about food insecurity as a historical issue, not just a present-day problem. I love seeing students engage with the research and realize how deeply food access is tied to economic and social justice.


3. What’s the Falcon Food Pantry doing beyond just food?
Emma Greulich’s Grant Project:
Emma’s grant-funded initiative is creating a historical research project and museum exhibit on food insecurity in Wood County. The first year focuses on historical food rationing and food banks, using resources from the BGSU library and the Bowling Green Community Foundation.

Goals of the Project:

• Give history students hands-on research experience
• Raise awareness about long-term food insecurity trends
• Create a small exhibit at the Student Union or library
• Develop an online archive to track engagement and interest

4. What challenges does the pantry face?
Limited Awareness:
Some students don’t even know the pantry exists! Despite flyers, social media, and word-of-mouth, many still struggle in silence without realizing they have access to free food and essentials.

Stigma Around Food Insecurity:
Emma and Michaela emphasized that the pantry is for students, faculty, and staff. No one should feel ashamed to ask for help.

Funding & Sourcing Food:
With limited donations from Toledo-area food banks, the pantry often relies on last-minute Walmart runs. The team is working on better supplier connections to get food at lower costs.


5. Where do you see the Falcon Food Pantry in 5 years?
Dr. Shannon Orr – Pantry Director:
I hope we can secure long-term funding to expand services, open a community garden, and create an online order system to simplify food access.

Michaela Ernst – Graduate Assistant:
More awareness is key! In five years, I hope every student knows about the pantry and feels comfortable using it without hesitation.

Emma Greulich – Intern & Grant Recipient:
I want the historical research project to become a permanent part of campus education, showing students that food insecurity isn’t just a current issue—it has deep historical roots.


How can YOU join the movement to end hunger on your campus?
Spread the word! Tell classmates, friends, and professors about your campus food security program. Volunteer! Fighting hunger is a team effort, ask if your school offers internships or volunteer roles to help keep the program running. Advocate! You can see if your state has introduced the Hunger Free Campus Bill to support statewide college food security initiatives.

The Falcon Food Pantry is more than just a food source—it’s a community. We can ensure no student goes hungry with continued advocacy, education, and outreach.



Ashley is a member of Swipe Out Hunger’s Student Leadership and Advisory Council (SLAAC), a cohort of food security student leaders who share ideas and engage in community building opportunities. Explore opportunities to connect with other student leaders in our national network here.