Reaching More Students in Need: Increasing Awareness of GVSU's ReSTORE Food Pantry

Grand Valley State University
ScholarWorks@GVSU
Undergraduate Research Liberal Studies
Fall 2015
ReSTORE Innovation Portfolio Team Two
Ian A. Davis
Grand Valley State University, davisi@mail.gvsu.edu
Claire E. Heinzmann
Grand Valley State University, heinzmac@mail.gvsu.edu
Kade A. Roggentine
Grand Valley State University, roggentk@mail.gvsu.edu
Donatela Pllumbaj
Grand Valley State University, pllumbad@mail.gvsu.edu
Brittany M. Costantini
Grand Valley State University, costantb@mail.gvsu.edu
Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/lib_undergrad
Part of the Liberal Studies Commons
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Liberal Studies at ScholarWorks@GVSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in
Undergraduate Research by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@GVSU. For more information, please contact scholarworks@gvsu.edu.
Recommended Citation
Davis, Ian A.; Heinzmann, Claire E.; Roggentine, Kade A.; Pllumbaj, Donatela; and Costantini, Brittany M., "ReSTORE Innovation
Portfolio Team Two" (2015). Undergraduate Research. Paper 2.
http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/lib_undergrad/2

I n n o v a t i o n T e a m T w o : I a n D a v i s , C l a i r e H e i z m a n n , K a d e
R o g g e n t i n e , D o n a t e l a P l l u m b a j , B r i t t a n y C o s t a n t i n i
“ D e s i g n T h i n k i n g t o M e e t R e a l W o r l d N e e d s ”
L I B 3 2 2 - 0 1 / H o n 3 1 3 - 0 2 , F a l l 2 0 1 5
Restoring ReSTORE: Making
Their Name Known

1
Table of Contents
2-Design Brief
7-Stakeholder Map
8-Insights Map
10-Stakeholder Interviews and Summaries
31-Research Bibliography
51-Collaborator Debriefs
57-Summaries of Top Five Innovations
58-Written Descriptions of Two Design Prototypes
59-Final Prototype
61-Process Presentation
65-Team Video
66-Team Narrative
70-Final Presentation Integration
72-References

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Design Brief
The Story of ReSTORE
Susana Villagomez and Rachel DeWitt were students at Grand Valley State University
(GVSU) who had a vision and a will to make that vision come true. They recognized a need in the
GVSU community after hearing from friends and other students about the difficulty of meeting
the financial requirements of attending classes, and having a secure source of food. With food
insecurity plaguing their community, they decided to stop waiting for something to be done and
take action. With support from the Women’s center, in April of 2009 the GVSU Student Food
Pantry was born. This year (2015), in an effort to expand the outreach of the pantry, the Women’s
Center has rebranded the GVSU Student Food Pantry as ReSTORE, with the goal of
“ReSTORING Students for Academic Success.” Although the name may be new, the goals and
services remain consistent with what Susana and Rachel saw in their initial vision. ReSTORE
offers food and personal care supplies to the GVSU community thanks to two courageous students
who were spurred to action by the idea of food justice and the real needs within their community.
The food pantry is located within the Kirkof Center on the Allendale campus. It recently
expanded into a larger, dedicated space located on the lower level (0072), physically separated
from, yet operated under the services offered by the Women’s Center. Recent additions include
more shelf space as well as a refrigerator capable of storing fresh food. This expansion is important
as the demand for ReSTORE’s services has grown year over year since 2009. In fact, according to
reports generated by ReSTORE, the pantry experienced a 72% growth in total visits, and a 94%
growth in unduplicated users between Fall 2011-Fall 2014. Included below are two graphs
showing the year over year growth in services provided by ReSTORE.1
Figure 1.1: ReSTORE Total Visits by Academic Semester
154 152
70
212 204
89
258 248
82
266
203
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Fall
2011
Winter
2012
Summer
2012
Fall
2012
Winter
2013
Summer
2013
Fall
2013
Winter
2014
Summer
2014
Fall
2014
Winter
2015
ReSTORE Total Visits

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A National Issue
Student food pantries are not unique to the GVSU community. In fact, college campuses
around the country have sought to create organizations within the college or university structure
that support students, faculty, and staff dealing with food insecurity. The first such organization
was started on the campus of Michigan State University (MSU), which opened in 1993 in response
to growing need of students who were facing difficult challenges accessing food on a regular basis.
MSU also helped co-found (along with Oregon State University) CUFBA, or the College and
University Food Bank Alliance. According to their website, “as of September 29, 2015 there are
216 active member institutions of CUFBA.” Grand Valley State University is currently a member
of CUFBA, which seeks to act as a resource for current and future college and university food
banks.
The full scope of food insecurity on college and university campuses is not entirely clear.
However, the American Council on Education, with the support of data from Feeding America,
“estimates that nearly half (49.3 percent) of its clients in college must choose between educational
expenses (i.e., tuition, books and supplies, rent) and food annually, and that 21 percent did so for
a full 12 months” (higheredtoday.org). If those numbers were to be accurately reflected within the
GVSU community, then potentially 12,371 students could experience food insecurity at some
point during the year, with potentially 5,270 students experiencing this for a full 12 months.
In its mission to “ReSTORE Students to Academic Success”, the student food pantry is
currently confronting many challenges. Through a combination of interviews from stakeholders
in the organization, members of the Grand Valley community (including current students), other
like organizations around the State of Michigan, and extensive research on food insecurity on
college campuses, we have identified a number of the most pressing problems ReSTORE faces.
These include:
Figure 1.2 Total Independent Users by Academic Semester
80 77
70
98
91 89
127
118
82
155
129
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Fall
2011
Winter
2012
Summer
2012
Fall
2012
Winter
2013
Summer
2013
Fall
2013
Winter
2014
Summer
2014
Fall
2014
Winter
2015
ReSTORE Unduplicated Visits

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 Increasing the awareness of ReSTORE as a resource for the GVSU community.
 Alleviating potential stigmas associated with using the services of ReSTORE.
 Removing confusion about ReSTORE as a service only for women, as it is under the
umbrella of the Women’s Center.
 Increasing supplies on hand to meet the needs of current and future users of ReSTORE.
 Diversifying the product offering of ReSTORE, including access to fresh produce and food
that meets the needs of clients with allergies (such as gluten free).
 Easing the workload of transporting supplies between the main facility in the Kirkof Center
and a secondary location within the Murray Living Center.
Problem Statement
Ideally, the entire Grand Valley State University community should, at all times, have
access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their needs and live a healthy, active life.
Within the current reality, however, food pantries such as ReSTORE are beneficial organizations
that aim to distribute food to those who struggle with purchasing enough food to avoid food
insecurity. Unfortunately, studies of universities similar in size to GVSU have shown that nearly
half of GVSU’s community may experience food insecurity this year. This means that despite
ReSTORE’s best efforts to reach the GVSU community, its services are most likely not reaching
its full potential. Given our current research efforts, we believe much of the underutilization of
ReSTORE’s resources is due to a lack of awareness among the GVSU community (potential users
appear to be unaware of ReSTORE’s very existence, let alone its mission or services). In response
to this problem, we propose to raise awareness about ReSTORE through an advertising
campaign in order to increase the number of users who can utilize its services and thus better
meet the immediate needs of those who are food insecure in the campus community. We plan
to carry out an investigation on the most effective way to reach the GVSU community in order to
reach potential ReSTORE users who are in need of assistance.

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The Ecosystem
In order for ReSTORE to be successful, we must involve and integrate several segments
of the community that have a stake in ReSTORE. Based on our research of the ecosystem
surrounding the GVSU food pantry, we have determined this must include the following:
1. Women’s Center leadership
2. Food pantry staff and volunteers
3. Clients who need the services offered by ReSTORE
4. Support services and faculty, who often refer clients to ReSTORE
5. Potential donors
This dynamic group of stakeholders each plays a critical role in not only the day to day operations
of the food pantry, but also in its ability to reach the clients who are in need of its services.
The leadership for ReSTORE consists of the director and associate director of the Women’s
Center. This team generally decides on the physical space required for the food pantry, recruits
volunteers, and helps to market the services and solicit donations from the community. ReSTORE
relies on minimal staff and volunteers to run everyday operations such as stocking the pantry,
assisting in food drives, and maintaining inventory. These individuals have key insights on ways
to make ReSTORE more successful, including what foods are desired by users, and the most
effective way to raise awareness.
Beyond the day to day operations of ReSTORE, other stakeholders have the potential to
impact the current and future status of the food pantry. Specifically, the pantry’s long-term
sustainability is likely to require additional resources and continued support from the surrounding
community. This could include the President of GVSU, the provost, and other members of the
administration.
The most important stakeholders in the success of ReSTORE are the current and potential
patrons who use or have yet to use the service. The food pantry is open to the entire GVSU
community, which creates a wide range in ages, occupations, and physical locations of potential
users. General awareness within the GVSU community has proven to be one of the hardest
objectives for ReSTORE to accomplish. Referrals are a great way to get potential users to benefit
from the pantry services. Referrals can come from various resources such as faculty, friends, other
students, resident assistance, and organizations like the Women’s Center and the campus health
center.
Finally, ReSTORE could not operate if it did not have a means of gathering donations,
including both physical sourcing of food as well as monetary. These can come from the public,
student organizations, alumni, and campaigns put on by volunteers and staff. Many food pantries
at neighboring universities are connected with other local food based organizations. These
organizations can help with the funds and donations, as well as providing invaluable information
on how to operate effectively.
The ecosystem does have limitations that will challenge our team as we begin to prototype
solutions for increasing awareness of ReSTORE within the GVSU community. They include:
1. Money – While our team has yet to discuss any idea of a budget with the client, we are
certain that any budgeted amount would be limited in nature. Also, we are aware that any
financial resources allocated to an advertising campaign may come at the expense of
another service or need that ReSTORE values.

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2. Personnel – As this team starts to ideate solutions to our problem statement, we understand
that we do not have an army of personnel to spread the message. Our prototypes must strive
to be efficient and scalable in nature.
3. Time – While the Women’s Center, and ReSTORE, have volunteers and staff that support
the distribution of food, this work is time consuming. In addition to being efficient with
the amount of people we may need, we must likewise be efficient with their time.
Our team will leverage these barriers to further our creative capacity, designing and prototyping a
solution that satisfies the requirements of ReSTORE while being mindful of these barriers.
Research Methodology
For our research, we plan to (1) review and analyze pertinent articles, (2) conduct
ethnographic interviews with key individuals identified through our stakeholder map and
secondary research, 93) conduct observations of ReSTORE, as well as (4) immerse ourselves by
utilizing ReSTORE’s services. Principally, our articles will inform us of various food pantries’
goals and services. Additionally, the articles we will review cover topics such as the stigma that
may or may not surround them, the advertising/promotion of food assistance programs, as well as
the population that food pantries typically serve.
The most significant portion of our research will be conducted through one-on-one, as well
as group, interviews of our stakeholders. Our stakeholders do not only include the staff and
volunteers at ReSTORE, but also professors from Grand Valley who are experts in advertising and
event planning. In hopes of better understanding who ReSTORE is aiming to serve, we will also
interview students of Grand Valley including those who live on campus and those who commute.
We intend to interview directors of various other food pantries in order to gain a better
understanding of how a developed food pantry has thrived and made their services well known.
Furthermore, we will interview a dietician and food expert in order to gain knowledge surrounding
food security and healthy foods.
Our team members will spend time observing ReSTORE by simply watching who comes
in and out of ReSTORE, what they are carrying, how they appear to be feeling, etc. Given an
interest in talking with us, we will also potentially interact with some of the people we observe.
Finally, as an immersion, we will send an individual from our team into the food pantry to
utilize its services. We will ask them to report back to us on the process, their findings, how it
made them feel, and how they interacted with the employees/volunteers.
By integrating our findings from the aforementioned methodologies of research—a
literature review, ethnographic interviewing, observation, and immersion—we intend to gain a
better understanding of how ReSTORE functions, as well as gain empathy for the population in
need of its assistance, in order to best promote and advertise their services.
Outcomes
From our team’s perspective, the ideal outcome would be to better meet the needs of food
insecure members of the GVSU community who are not currently utilizing ReSTORE’s services. We
are not quantifying the specific increase in any sort of percentage, but rather we are simply stating
that we want to double their current number of users. Whether this is an additional one or two
people per week, or hundreds more per month – we believe any sort of growth in numbers is

7
beneficial to ReSTORE as well as the new patrons. There are so few people who are utilizing
ReSTORE’s services, let alone know about their services, that any growth in the amount of people
using it would contribute to an ideal outcome. Yet, in order to increase the number of people
utilizing its services, we must first increase awareness about ReSTORE. Therefore, the first step
to achieving our ideal outcome is to increase the number of people who simply know about
ReSTORE’s presence and services. This would not only be increase awareness of ReSTORE, but
also broaden its message of food justice as a form of social justice, in which no student will have
to worry about where to find their next meal. From our research, we hope to grasp a better
understanding on what is the most effective way to communicate with the Grand Valley State
University community, so as to ensure our information regarding ReSTORE is being heard by as
many people as possible. With help from other organizations on campus, as well as students,
faculty, and staff, we will be able to address as many potential pantry users as possible. Through
this promotion of ReSTORE, we will achieve our ideal outcome. By raising awareness and
knowledge of ReSTORE and the services it has to offer, we hope to also raise the number of
hungry users who are not currently utilizing its services.
Stakeholder Map

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Our stakeholder map included all of the people we believed would somehow be affected by or
have an impact on ReSTORE. By mapping the ecosystem, we were then able to determine who
we should and should not include in the next step of our design thinking journey, the interviewing
process. Therefore, it was essential for us to “go wide” when initially brainstorming. This helped
us to ensure that we included all potential stakeholders. Obviously, it was imperative to include
students on our map, and not solely students who lived on the Allendale campus, but commuter
students and students who lived at the other campuses as well. Yet, our map did not end with
students, branching out to include faculty and staff at Grand Valley, the directors of ReSTORE,
the student staff of ReSTORE, donators, personnel from other food pantries, and administration.
From this web of stakeholders, we were then able to determine the most critical people to
interview, thereby allowing us to continue down our design
thinking path.
Insight Map (Affinity Mapping of Insights)
Our insights map included all of the fundamental insights each of our group members
gained during stakeholder interviews, research, observation and immersion. During our research,
we would hastily jot down all information provided to us by our stakeholders. Later, we would
come together as a team in order to make sense of all of our information.

9
Ultimately, our group relied on nine general categories, or themes, for our key insights, those
including communication, demographics, attention, food justice, how to relate, general
information/facts, stigma, and gathering information. These central themes became critical to our
prototyping, which was the next step in our design thinking journey. Through our insight map the
main information, concerns, and ideas from our stakeholders, our team was able to ensure we were
utilizing each of our insights throughout our prototyping process. 3
Figure 3.1 Affinity Mapping helped us turn the messy process of collecting insights into
developing themes.

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Stakeholder Interviews and Summaries
Student (Freshman)
He’s never heard of the student food pantry, never been to one, doesn't know anyone
that has, he has a food plan
What do you think is the best or most effective way to communicate to students as well as
faculty at GVSU?
Signs on campus, the sustainability sign hanging around campus
What three words come to mind when you think of food pantries?
Donations, food, giving to others
How do you believe food based organizations best market themselves? Can you think of and
share an example?
Looks appetizing, fruit looks shiny
What makes a meal satisfying to you?
Variety of foods, array of foods on my plate
What do you think of when you think of food security?
I’ve never heard of food security
How many advertisements do you believe you see in a day?
10-20 advertisements a day
Where do you typically see advertisements?
Spotify, Internet, driving (billboards),
Where do you get your news about things happening at GVSU?
Signs, in class from professors (word of mouth)
Key Insights:
 Food insecurity and/or food pantries are not a well known topics around campus
 Students see many advertisements online
 Students receive information about what is happening around campus from professors
 Foods need to look appetizing and appealing in order to attract attention
A Dietician
Can you describe the last time an advertisement really caught your attention?
The last time I saw an advertisement was the Dove advertisement about women
describing themselves and then having an artist sketch them. It was an advertisement that
made me stop and think about and appreciate the message that we all need to love our
bodies and be less harsh of critics on ourselves. Dove made this message impactful
making it relatable and that made me want to keep watching it and understand what they
were saying and then know what they were advertising….by making relatable ad, I felt
like I knew more about the brand and I actually liked them and their ideas better, and it
made me want to buy their product.

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What do you think is the best or most effective way to communicate to students as well as faculty
at GVSU?
(Kate went to MSU so she gave information based off of her experiences while at
Michigan State University) I remember my organizations and other organizations
reaching the most people by a group of people sitting at the entrance to dining halls, we
(/they) had something interactive that you had to stop and talk to them about, people were
asked to answer questions about the specific center and if you got it right you won
something.
Assistance, cans, relief
share an example?
They use television ads with foods that are healthy and fresh, a company that comes into
the store and lets you sample for the day
Having an array of colors of my plate, having your appetite fulfilled, knowing that you
are eating true fuel and not just junk. You need to know that the food you are eating is
going to make you healthy and happy, in turn making your life happier and healthier
Being able to not only buy, but cook and prepare, the foods that you need in order to
thrive and live a successful life
How many advertisements do you believe you see in a day? Where do you typically see
advertisements?
Grocery store, billboards, on television, on the Internet, maybe around 25 or 30 a day
What are the elements of a successful campaign?
The number of people the advertisement is able to reach, how important the message is, i.e. if
you have an advertisement for roman noodles it will not hold as much weight as a dove inner
beauty campaign, want to be sure the message you are attempting to get across is significant
and you make sure people see how important your message is. Health and healthy eating is
important to all other aspects of your life, so be sure this gets across in an advertisement
How do we know that our marketing campaign for ReSTORE is actually working?
A gradual increase in numbers, after a few months maybe go sit somewhere and ask if people
have heard about ReSTORE
Idea for pop up kitchen: black bean and corn salsa or chili using canned goods but also
healthy. Alternatively, use a recipe where you would have to go to the store to buy one good,
but the rest would come from the pantry.
Key Insights:
 Effective advertisements have a relatable message, have an emotional connection with
the viewer
 If tables/booths are set up in promotion of an organization/event, you attract the most
people when there is something interactive about your advertisement, i.e a game, food,
prizes

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 A meal looks satisfying when it looks like food that will give you fuel, not just junk food
 Food security is not only about being able to buy the foods you need, but being able to
cook and prepare them, as well,in order to thrive and live a successful life
Student (Sophomore)
Where do you get your news about things that are happening at GVSU?
Friends, social media are her main sources of information
How many advertisements do you think you see a day?
She sees a lot during the day. Described walking through Kirkof.
“Related to me; that’s why I stop and look”.
What makes an advertisement "stick" in your memory?
Isn’t as concerned about the appearance of the advertisement, more about the message.
Does it relate to her is more what she is interested in?
In regards to food, what does it mean to be full? How is being full portrayed in
advertisements?
We all like junk food, that’s more attractive to everyone. If I’m hungry, anything
sounds good. Fruits and vegetables included.
faculty at GVSU?
Social media, groups of friends, word of mouth. Emails might tell a little bit. Not the best
way to attract attention for younger students.
The communication boards work too.
Are you familiar with ReSTORE, an organization here at GVSU?
No, Kathryn was not familiar with ReSTORE or the services they provide.
Has an advertisement ever influenced your opinion on a subject, or spurned you to action?
Has definitely made her think about it, hasn’t always spurned action yet but it is
thought provoking.
Food, snacking, college students are hungry, delicious, free
share an example?
Make food look tasty, more commercialized. Eating as an experience.
Noticed it a lot this year. A lot of students don’t have food plans, wonder how to get
groceries.
Key Insights:
 Friends and social media can be a great way to communicate
 The message of an advertisement, not the appearance is important
 Word of mouth is essential
 Eating is an experience
 Thought of friends when informed of ReSTORE

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Marketing Expert
Tell me about your most recent experience getting food for your family, from planning what to
pick up to preparing a meal.
As opposed to talking about the last time Marcia got food for her family, she talked about a
time her and her husband Bill participated in the SNAP challenge, living on the equivalent
of $4.40 a day per person for food. Posted below is a link to the SNAP Challenge. This
proved very difficult for them, as they are both proponents of healthy, organic food. Bill
also suffers from food allergies to corn, wheat, and pasteurized dairy.
Link to Snap Challenge:
http://site.foodshare.org/site/PageServer?pagename=programs_movement_education_snap
challenge
What do you think will be the most effective way to spread the word that ReSTORE is an
available resource?
It really depends on the audience. Example: if you are targeting executives, you’re not
going to send them to a website. They are direct; “give me the ten bullet points in order to
make a decision”, or when engaging a peer will ask a situational question (What did you do
when…). Students will respond well to social media.
Faculty age range is really important! There is probably a really wide range here (example
28-70). Facebook is used widely by older group. You should also consider email! E-blasts
– marketing piece that you can send out informing people of something (event, mission,
etc).
Posters: people still value this. Fliers and table tents. Is there a central location where
faculty gather? (Where do they congregate?).
Presentations to targeted departments, especially advisors! Students meet with advisors in a
different way than with faculty. (PowerPoint can work with this).
What about the Health Center? (Posters and table tents)
What is the best medium to communicate to students as well as faculty?
Please see answer above.
How do you believe other food-based organizations best market themselves?
Her understanding of food pantries marketing practices is limited. She discussed the
support organizations that refer potential clients to the food pantry would be worth
investigating.
How do we make our marketing campaign cost efficient?
Social media is a really inexpensive way to market yourself, although it may not relate to
all of your audience.
Look at other forms of electronic communication. Again, this isn’t expensive if you’re
willing to do the work.
Lots of people are willing to donate their time and expertise to support organizations they
care about. Donations can really range in variety.
Additional Information (from conversation during the interview)
In talking about the brand for ReSTORE: “Brand is the customers’ perception of who
you are.” All mediums that talk about or share your brand need to be consistent.

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Specifically, the web page for ReSTORE could use some updating. It would also send a
different message to have it separately. (The client also talked about this).
Mission statement seems at first glance to be incongruent, and their intake form is too.
Are they only serving the needs of students, or is this a service available to the whole
GVSU community?
Recommends a tree diagram defining the audience – may need multi-level marketing
campaign with different countermeasures in order to reach a really wide audience.
In talking about faculty being a primary resource currently for referring clients to
ReSTORE: “Do faculty know what food insecurity is? Are they suffering from their
own food insecurity? Do you think there may be more pride issues here?”
Key Insights:
 It is important that your message in congruent. If the food pantry is for the GVSU
community, then the slogan isn’t following suit.
 Social media is popular and is inexpensive.
 What other organizations or services can help? Student health? Advisors?
Professor-Advertising and Public Relations
The Duluth Trading Company, their animations and humor make their commercials very
memorable.
at GVSU?
Reach as many people as possible, it’s not one effective approach that works, it’s multiple
approaches in diverse avenues of communication. Email newsletters, posters, anything.
Charity, and needy (did not have a third).
share an example?
By understanding their audience, their demographic, geographic, psychographics they are
able to aim more precisely. Learn as much as possible with the founders of the organization
aka your clients to make sure your campaign is how they want to be represented. They
should be people that you are referring to often. Understanding their mission and goals is
helpful for accurate representation in their campaign. (Could not think of an example, at the
time).
It’s a combination of nutritional and emotional satisfaction. If the food is nutritious and you
can feel grateful for the food and aren’t feeling tired or sick of eating the same thing. Often
hot meals are much more satisfying than cold, a variety of factors takes a role.
What do you think of when you hear food insecurity?
I think it’s horrible, it a sad condition to be in.

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It has to be different and distinct. It must find that company or organization’s niche and
capitalize on what makes them different and unique from other organizations that are doing
the same thing. Another factor in your situation, is transparency, your campaign must be
perceived as legitimate, that the money and donations are going towards people that need it
and not just workers. If it’s only volunteer based, that’s an important element to bring up.
Your audience needs to interpret the message in the campaign, that they can make a
difference, and really change other’s lives. They need to feel like their donation is going
towards something special, and it needs to be easy for them to donate, there should be little to
no inconvenience for them when they desire to give donations.
Surveys are generally the most effective way to measure an increase in awareness about the
food pantry. If you want to measure both the foot traffic and the general awareness of the
food pantry, you can set up two surveys one targeted for the general GV population and one
within ReSTORE.
Idea for pop up kitchen:
Be sure to promote the event, and make sure that a pop kitchen is the best event to relay the
message you’re trying to spread. Often brainstorming a few other ideas can lead to something
that fits better, I just never recommend running with the first idea that come up. Even if you
stick with the idea, think of all of the elements required to make the even happen
successfully. Be sure that you can put the right amount of time and energy into bringing it to
life, and that it’s the most effective use of your time. It’s possible that you could reach many
more people by spending you time and other resources on something else; it just depends on
what your goals are.
Key Insights:
 There is no single method of communication that reaches everyone. You need a multitude
of approaches.
 Engage intimately with the founders of the organization to ensure they are being
represented the way they want to be.
 Highlight the organization’s uniqueness; what makes them stand out.
Student commuter (Junior)
Email and the GVSU Homepage
Look at the homepage once a day, and email twice a week
25? Probably TV commercials are the most frequent.
Humor or shock value.
at GVSU?
Event sponsorship, or set up a booth during a large event, like a sporting event. Welcome
Week would have been a great opportunity right as they get to campus.

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No, has never heard of ReSTORE before. Mentioned that it is the same name as Habitat for
Humanity.
Yes, he saw a beer advertisement. It was Sam Adams commercial. What prompted him to go
buy it was it triggered a memory of him enjoying it in the past.
The blind taste test was what he remembered.
Donations, overcoming ego, shortages
Priorities: sometimes things come up that force you to think about your future versus your
need to eat.
Is there anyone else you believe would be valuable to our research that we could talk to?
He also had a recommendation on how to reach multiple age groups at once: sporting events.
He suggested either holding or promoting an event at a football game. There would be lots of
exposure and people to connect with.
Key Insights:
 He had never heard of ReSTORE, and wasn’t aware of its location in Allendale.
 He looks at the GVSU homepage once a day, less than he does his email.
 Consider sponsoring an event, or putting something at a sporting event.
Commuter student
“The last time an advertisement caught my attention was yesterday on the radio. There
was a very catchy tune it got my attention that way.”
“There have been food advertisements that really make me hungry when they show
foods.”
“I probably see hundreds of them a day”
I see a lot of advertisements when I am driving. I see them on TV and on my phone
everyday too.”
What is happiness? How do you see happiness portrayed in advertisements?
“Happiness is enjoying what you are doing. In advertisements happiness is portrayed by
smiles since most of them are visual.”
share an example?
“The best way food based organizations market themselves is by giving out coupons or
by TV commercials that portray their deals. When I see them the next time I’m looking
for a quick meal I can remember oh so and so is having a special on this or that.”

17
“A satisfying meal to me is something that is cheap and filling.”
“Homeless people, canned food, and free.”
“I’ve never heard of it, but maybe a good meal like steak and potatoes that curb my
hunger.”
“Appealing to multiple groups of people and not limiting your scope.”
faculty at GVSU?
“I basically get all of my news through email since I only have classes downtown.”
Key Insights:
 Happiness in advertisements can be shown by smiles and excitement
 There is a stigma related with food pantries
 Don’t limit our scope by targeting a certain type of student
 Smartphones can be an efficient way to communicate information
 Advertisements are everywhere, so it needs to connect with the user to stick
Honors Professor
at GVSU?
Hand out brochures
Signs around campus include hours and location
Professors pass out info
Social Media
Food pantry at campus life night and freshmen orientation
Financial aid award letters (include information about ReSTORE)
Campus health center screening (Ask a question about missing meals- if yes, give
brochure about food pantry)
Chalk on sidewalks
What has ReSTORE done in the past to share its services with the GVSU community?
First heard about it at a meeting for the SAP advisory committee, SAP talking about
wanting to donate food to the food pantry—social justice component of the SAP to
donate to the pantry
Initially heard about it when students in her class last year did a collection for donations
Did not hear about it in the interview process, was surprised she didn’t
Women’s center should have a table at new faculty orientation and talk about the food
pantry
Processed food, can food,
share an example?

18
To connect with students today, you need to use social media- today’s food organizations
do not do a good job of it
Maybe contact the child services center—parents who are older with kids and have
financial issues
A plate of food that is precooked. Students perception of what good food is, is different
than what it really should
What do you think of when you think of food insecurity?
People who don’t know where there next groceries are going to come from, worried
about making money stretch to next pay day
Survey that freshman students fill out—Map Works—include a question on there about if
you have heard about the student food pantry/if you have utilized it
Can we connect with you again? Is there anyone else you believe would be valuable to our
research that we could talk to?
Campus sustainability coordinator, works with the SAP and coordinates sustainability
efforts on campus, used to run community gardens
She also noted a concern about the stigma surrounding the food pantry and suggested we
do a food drive and possible putting boxes for food in residence halls, library, and other
high traffic buildings.
Key Insights:
 ReSTORE is a virtually unheard of resource, even to professors at Grand Valley who
teach food related classes
 There are countless ways to advertise around campus that are not necessary hanging
posters on walls
 All Grand Valley students should somehow be surveyed to know if they have ever used
ReSTORE, or have ever needed food assistance, so ReSTORE could potentially reach out
to these people
 There is a stigma surrounding food pantries, they need to become more well known and
commonplace
 It is critical that we reach out to other groups/organizations in order to broaden the reach
as far as possible
Nutrition and wellness director at YMCA in Asheville, NC (set up a food pantry at YMCA)
Previously over saw the childcare center/facility, now he over sees the nutrition portion
of the facility and outreach to the community involving nutrition
Started in June 2013, food pantry started in November 2012
at GVSU?
The first step is identifying the population- maybe its just freshman you’re targeting? Maybe
just seniors? Target the population you determine is in need—but after research, you may

19
find that there is no rhyme or reason and everyone is in need, that the need could be more
widespread, but if there is a small group that needs it maybe target them but market
widespread
Hang up fliers; fliers are always good, go through advisors to spread the word by mouth
(public health, public administration advisors)
What have done down at his facility? They’ve gradually gotten the word out and more and
more people started to come and talk about it…because more people are talking about it
simply makes there be less of a stigma. The more people talk about it and go to the food
pantry, the less the stigma exists… Rather than one person judging another, it becomes just
two people helping each other out
Over a short period of time, you guys (our group) can set a good foundation--- talk to habitat
for humanity, talk to alternative breaks, once you get the ball rolling, other organizations can
keep it going for you and ensure that the word continues to be spread about the food pantry
What has ReSTORE done in the past to share its services with the GVSU community? How did
you hear about ReSTORE?
It was highlighted in feeding America article (how he heard about it) and a friend showed it
to him. It made national news because it’s something ground breaking
share an example?
We have a 2-1-1 hotline that people call in order to get connected with the people in the area
that could help them get assistance. Definitely helps us that people spread the word by mouth
It’s hard for us to miss people because we’re casting such a large net, you guys have a
smaller population to address, so smaller ways of communicating with people would be fine-
small blurb at the end of a flier
At our facility we focus on nutritious and low sugar low salt foods--- so when I think of food
insecurity I thin of when you don’t have the funds or the means to provide nutritious and
healthy foods for you and/or your family. And food security is the exact opposite
Kirkof, the new library, and housing/apartment places---they could, and would likely be
willing to, get in on it. If kids are late on their rent because they had to buy food, or can’t buy
food because they have to pay rent, it goes both ways, but they likely would need some way
to get food
Key Insights:
 It is important to determine the population being targeted in an advertising/promotional
campaign
 Word of mouth is essential in promotion, need to reach out to as many
organizations/people as possible that are willing to help promote the cause
 The more people who know about this resource and utilize this resource, the less
prominent the stigma surrounding it
 Need to advertise where students typically are, such as Kirkhoff, the library,
housing/apartment facilities. In other words, we need to meet students where they are at

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 Food insecurity could potentially be when someone simply cannot supply
themselves/their families with nutritious, healthy foods, not necessarily no foods at all.
Food insecurity does not look the same in every person.
Director of the MSU Student Food Bank
He has been the director of the MSU Student Food Bank for 6 years. He is currently
working on his Doctorate in Education. Prior to this, he worked for two Congressmen
from the State of Michigan.
What are the types of ways the MSU Student Food Bank is marketed to students at MSU?
The overall theme of the marketing strategy can be classified as “traditional”. Social
media is used (Facebook/Twitter), but is usually not the way most students know about
the food bank. Here are examples of how the MSU Food Bank gets the word out via
marketing:
Beginning of the year/welcome back events. Usually have a booth or a table set up
List-service for those that have already used the food bank
Fliers on bulletin boards in student housing, off campus apartments, and academic
buildings
Campus department mail specifically targeting each department, academic or student
services related.
“There is nothing really groundbreaking that we do”.
What is the most effective or documented way that students know about and use the food pantry?
Word of mouth is the most effective way students know about the food bank. The food
bank at MSU has existed since 1993, so many students are already aware of its presence.
This far exceeds other methods that help students understand the service.
Do you believe are any reasons a student may not use the food pantry?
The conversation started to veer towards stigma. He does not believe that stigma plays a
role in diminishing use of the food pantry at MSU. They are more concerned at this point
with “oversaturation” of information, and also that students may use the service that don’t
need it.
“I do not believe that has ever happened though. It is something we think about.”
This lead into a deeper conversation:
“The MSU Food Bank has existed for over 20 years. We seek to really meet students
wherever they are at.”
The following subjects were touched on:
1) You can make an individual appointment at the Food Bank instead of the group pick
up days.
2) Try to keep an open and welcoming environment
a. “For some of our clients, this is a way of interacting socially”
 Really try to meet people at their comfort level.
Does the message vary or stay the same in order to reach a wider community of students?

21
He talked about how separated the MSU campus is, and how it is important to understand
that even though they are one University, each college operates in a totally different way
in terms of structure.
He also mentioned that 60% of the users of the MSU Student Food Bank are graduate
students. This differs greatly from GVSU.
“Our definition of student is very loose. You could be an undergrad, or simply taking a
professional course that’s not tied to a degree program. Our ultimate goal is to alleviate
one more stressor from a student’s life.”
We continued our conversation. He stressed a couple of key points for our group to consider:
 The difference in age between the MSU Student Food Bank is pretty big. We might want
to consider talking to other universities that are in a similar age range to where ReSTORE
is at.
 Between the age of the MSU Food Bank, word of mouth on campus, and the really big
push to involve other agencies within MSU as a reference for the food bank, the belief is
that the Food Bank is seen almost as another student service and less as a food bank.
 Working with other services/agencies within MSU is really important. In fact, some
services have arrangements with the food bank that they can immediately come in and get
food for a student in need.
 CUFBA.org, the website for the College and University Food Bank Alliance, is a great
tool to find other local universities in order to share ideas.
Key Insights:
 Student dynamic can differ by each college. MSU has a 60% international or graduate
student usage rate.
 It’s important to meet students wherever they are at. Cater services to meet their needs.
 Some students see this as an interactive experience, a social experience. Some do not.
Graduate Student
He is currently in his third year as a grad student at GVSU. His classes have only been
offered at the PEW Campus in Grand Rapids. He lives off campus in Borculo, a small town
just north of Zeeland. He works full time as a teacher in the Grand Haven Public School
System.
The only way he would even pay attention to anything is through email. He is more
interested in finishing his schoolwork, and doesn’t pay as much attention to the happenings
on campus.
In regards to GVSU ads, he doesn’t see a lot. Nothing really. He doesn’t see a whole lot in
general. He doesn’t have cable, and Netflix doesn’t have ads. He gets a lot from Facebook,
including from other schools. He gets mailings from GVSU. He sees random advertisements
in the paper.
A good jingle. If the message really piques interest, he will think about it randomly.

22
at GVSU?
Anyone up to 40 must be pretty tech savvy, so some form of online communication, or an
online video that can be spread around could be effective. I don’t know if older would
respond to that. What about a YouTube video and hyperlink it, maybe put it on the GVSU
homepage?
No, he has never heard of it.
Yes, he wants to try random things from Taco Bell or Burger King. Food commercials work
on him pretty well. Or seeing some cool landscape that makes him want to go visit.
Poverty, non-perishable, donations.
Having the ability to provide an adequate amount of food for you and your family (if
necessary) and knowing you can replenish. Variety.
Key Insights:
 Often graduate students are not on campus every week. He is only on the DeVos Campus
every other week.
 Often he avoids booths or people advertising a topic because even though he may find the
information useful, he doesn’t want an awkward social interaction.
 His best connection to what is happening at GVSU is email. He’s not on campus unless
he’s going directly to class.
 He had never heard of ReSTORE, and wasn’t aware of its location.
Student Director of ReSTORE
Came to know about restore by hanging out with roommate at the women’s center. Got a job
at the end of his junior year as the student manager of the food pantry. Used the pantry once
or twice because he didn’t want to go to Meijer’s (for convenience)
Brown bag drive-give bags to different places on campus for them to fill with food to donate.
An intern has done research on other food pantries on and off campuses including extensive
research on MSU food pantry and that is what their end goal is.
Students don’t think they deserve the help because they don’t have a big enough need. There
is a stigma-people are upset when they come in and people don’t want to have to come back.
Biggest reason people don’t come is because they don’t know.
Greek life does a food drive during Homecoming by making floats.
Jennifer Stewart (sociology professor) helps plan food drives.
Other organizations do food drives and gives food to our pantry.

23
Adding an amendment that allows them to give out expired food as long as they sign a paper
that explains the risks and allow students to take an unlimited amount of expired food.
(Relationship with a food pantry that will take expired food)
Goal is to reach 75-100 students because it gives them more of a reputation in order to get
more funding.
Grandma’s kitchen: Go in and there is art and dorky signs. Provide a safe, comforting place
that they can come in and “open the fridge” and take the food that they want. No judgment or
prejudice. They want students to use them.
Volunteer and interning opportunities beyond just using the pantry.
Posters, article in Lanthorn, banner in Kirkof, high profile food drive
Any publicity is great publicity
Women’s center staff, faculty, pamphlets, roommates, friends, women and gender studies
classes coming in, or involvement in the women’s center. Nothing known about health center
referring.
Community, student, useful
Key Insights:
 If more students come to ReSTORE then that would mean it is easier to get funding.
 Main reason that students do not come is because they don’t know about it.
 Think of the pantry as Grandma’s kitchen; you come in to a warm and friendly
environment and take whatever you need without judgment.
 Faculty play a key role in getting students in the doors.
Associate Director of Women’s Center
at GVSU?
By representing ReSTORE in a respectful, inclusive way to students, we are restoring
dignitary. Use social media, networking, word mouth, may be most effective.
Insight: We are brand building – for the culture and the experience of ReSTORE. We are
not advertising a product.
Flier for faculty, professor forum, Lanthorn, campus radio, GVSU banner on homepage.
Needy, “others” subconscious thinking that someone who is vulnerable or in need is less
than or that there is a constructed hierarchy there, stigma linked with lacking of
education, resources and skills. (Insight: how are we defining stigma for our problem
statement).
share an example?

24
Empathize, be present where the need is present, educating with research, use food justice
as the theme to dig deeper than surface level. Identify the problem as a symptom of
systemic oppression. Those that are in power cycle their current power to others within
their network, leading to severely unjust distribution of wealth. Be thoughtful and
transparent. Be sure to identify the assumptions that you are surveying under. There are
privileges associated with not needing to know where a food pantry is. We can identify
ways we are privileged and ways e are oppressed, and everyone does not have an equal
opportunity, because everyone does not start at the same stance in life.
That it be nurturing and that guilt or shame is not a prevalent emotion while eating.
Surveying users for their background information on Restore and how they found out
about it. Measuring the increase in foot traffic in correlation with the number of users
saying that the campaign was what drew them in.
Key Insights:
 Cycles of power tend to feed those same cycles of power, ensuring a continued uneven
distribution of wealth.
 Our own assumptions and biases can frame how we engage with clients; we must be
aware of these as we seek to create dialogue.
 We must be aware of the fact that everyone does not start from the same point in life,
therefore not everyone has “equal opportunity”.
Student (Freshman)
20/20 desk, friends mostly.
Sees about 10 a day. See them a lot on campus, Kirkof.
If he is interested in the subject matter.
In regards to food, what does it mean to be full? How is being full portrayed in advertisements?
Eating food on campus isn’t really that good. How much of it, the taste of it, and how it
makes him feel.
at GVSU?
Directly target people to give them knowledge, in person. People check in online but can
brush it off. There is a lot happening online so it is easy to miss.
He has not heard of ReSTORE before.
Couple weeks ago they were advertising to stop sexual assault on campus. Made him more
aware of it and its impact on campus.

25
Canned goods, body wash and supplies. Easy stuff like that.
Not appealing
Key Insights:
 He has never heard of ReSTORE, and doesn’t know where it is located.
 He thinks about the food itself when thinking about a pantry.
 It can be easy to brush off adverts from social media or online
Student (Sophomore)
Did not hear about ReSTORE until recently through a class. Was not completely aware of
location
New Barbie ad, creative, unexpected, cute kids
at GVSU?
Short emails, posters are not effective, word of mouth
Not enough to do anything but humane society commercials or hungry children pull at heart
strings in attempt to guilt you into action
Food Closet, boxed goods, poor
share an example?
McDonalds shows what there is to offer, low prices
Smiles, laughter, family
Protein, balance of ingredients (food groups)
Having enough food, kitchen at home, knowing you can go to the store, not hard to access
food.
At least 40
Spotify, YouTube, TV, apps
Key Insights:
 Advertisements need to be creative and unexpected in order to get people’s attention.
 The advertisements that pull at your heartstrings are the most effective.
 Word of mouth is the best way to get the word out about something.

26
Hospitality Professor
Pictures, sustainable paper, video (she really liked the recent flier given to professors)
at GVSU?
Email, announcements (PowerPoint), electronic digest (monthly/weekly), short presentation
at the beginning of class, Facebook, Instagram
Need to separate from women’s center
Bread, volunteers, unemployment
Other ideas that came from conversation:
“It is difficult to offer a service to the gendered masses when a gender segment retains
ownership of its existence.”
ReSTORE van- for downtown or other places on campus
When you live on campus you can borrow things while downtown does not have many food
options.
Many events, hard to get people to come but get them to participate
Stats card
Shocking facts
Talking points
Ways in which you can donate
Events
Put together bags with foods that make a meal along with brochure
Hand out after 6-9pm
Figure out where they are and get to them
Key Insights:
 She was a big proponent of social media but also realizes making announcements in class
or sending out emails can be effective.
 She thinks that ReSTORE needs to be separate from the Women’s center saying, “It is
difficult to offer a service to the gendered masses when a gender segment retains
ownership of its existence.”
 Don’t just get people to come to events but rather to participate.
 Downtown campus needs some sort of branch for the pantry because there is less food
options and less of a community than Allendale.
 Put together bags of food that will make a meal and hand them out with brochures.
Assignment Supervisor – Western Michigan University Resident Life
What are the types of ways the WMU Student Food Bank is marketed to students at WMU?

27
There are a few things we have found successful for us when trying to reach students.
The first thing we did when the pantry opened was an event called "An Apple a Day
Keeps the Hunger Away". WMU has something called Western Wednesdays that are
held in the center of our campus every Wednesday. We received a large donation of
apples and distributed apples along with quarter sheet information flyers. We also
collected donations for the pantry and sold the t-shirt we also sell each year as part of the
project.
When we started the pantry we sent out an email to all buildings asking for volunteers to
"host" collection boxes. Due to this we are visible in 30 of the buildings on campus and
have hosts from every employee group, staff, faculty, administration, as well as student
groups. They also are given window clings that advertise the pantry and are able to give
students information on where to find us. We also reached out to all of our advisors to
make sure they were aware of us.
We were able to partner with prominent Registered Student Organizations that have taken
up our cause. We are also part of the orientation presentation to parents and our student
ambassadors are starting to include us in their tour information.
(This information is based on email information that was shared with me from Rebekah
T., who had originally reached out to WMU)
What is the most effective or documented way that students know about and use the food pantry?
Based on the information they have, the two most effective methods of students learning
about the food pantry are 1) word of mouth and 2) advisors. She stressed that the food
pantry falls under the realm of student affairs, which is a difference from GVSU.
Collection boxes also exist in every building, which include quarter sheet fliers that share
their services. They were also able to get their university president to take on their cause.
She mentioned they are rather “shameless” when it comes to advertising. She mentioned
a contest with the National Peanut Organization. She mentioned getting with students
waiting in line for athletic events (such as hockey the other night).
Do you believe are any reasons a student may not use the food pantry?
They have one student that has a lot of anxiety, and thus needs to go to the pantry with
another person as support. Otherwise, Karen has not really heard about this. In talking
about stigma, she mentioned the ways that they try to make the pantry accessible. By
having the pantry as an extension of Student Affairs, there are confidentiality agreements
that staff must hold to. Only one student is allowed in the pantry at a time (this is also
designed to limit overuse).
Student Affairs at WMU includes: Housing, Activities, Recreation (Rec Center), and
Campus Dining. They feel like they lucked out with where they ended up in terms of
campus structure.
What are some of the challenges faced on the WMU campus in reaching a wider audience?
The student food pantry is in the process of creating a survey as to ascertain what the best
method to reach a wider audience on the WMU campus. They do have an intake survey

28
where they do ask how the client has heard of the food pantry. Please see above for the
results of this.
What types of students are most likely to use the food bank and WMU? Undergrad? Graduate?
The majority of WMU users are undergraduate students, to the tune of 65%. International
students constitute 20% of users last year, while 15% of clients were graduates. She also
stated that there are some families in there.
How many students use the food bank at WMU?
Last year, from Sept. 15 – Aug. 20,
the WMU student food bank had over 400 visitors.
They anticipate more this year. (As a group, we should also remember that the WMU
food bank is literally only a year old). She stated that they were really surprised at the
initial numbers.
Key Insights:
 Feels it is important that their pantry, as a part of the Invisible Needs Project, is a part of
Student Services. They see this is a benefit.
 They will “do anything” to connect with students. Engaging them at events is one way.
 Advisors, and word of mouth, are the two most common ways that students hear about
the pantry.
Student (Sophomore)
Had not heard of ReSTORE previously
Use of recent music catches attention on the radio advertisements
at GVSU?
Email or social media
ASPCA-Animal commercials makes her really want to donate, did a presentation on the
organization
Helping the less fortunate, donations, volunteer
share an example?
Showing products
Music, actors, bright colors
The people you share the meal with
Not having to worry about where your next meal is coming from
5-10

29
Social media, music apps, billboards, TV
Key Insights:
 Using recent popular songs in advertisements catches your attention.
 Email and social media is the main way she hears about things on campus.
 Portraying a meal with people who seem to be close may be more important than the
actual food.
Student and ReSTORE volunteer (Junior)
When they use something shocking and something inspirational, it always grabs my
attention.
Online, when I’m on twitter or Facebook.
share an example?
If the food looks appealing, and if there is comfort being portrayed.
When there is a balance between it being nutritional, and good tasting.
I think of everyday people, not everyone that experiences hunger is living on the streets.
I think of a student who had to skip a meal or two to afford something else, or had to ask for
help from his friends or family.
It has to relate to the people you want to send the message to, they need to feel a
connection with it.
at GVSU?
Word of mouth advertising, recommendations from friends or professors, online.
Can we connect with you again? Is there anyone else you believe would be valuable to our
research that we could talk to?
Key Insights:
 Everyday people experience food insecurity; it is not just those that experience
homelessness.
 Although many think of students as being privileged in many ways, there is definitely a
need for ReSTORE on campus.
Restore Intern
What major concerns do you have about ReSTORE?
Just that not enough students know about it, every student should know about it.
Are you concerned that too many people will come in, that you would have to turn away?

30
We are not very concerned about having too many people, numbers show need. We want
to express that this recourse is needed in the GVSU community and that it’s available to
everyone. We will find ways to support any increase in need.
Probably at least 15, maybe more. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if something is even an
advertisement.
20/20 desk, online, social media, emails.
share an example?
By being wholesome companies and advertising their quality of food and service.
The nutritional value, and being relaxes and not concerned with when or where to get
more later on.
Hungry, in need, underserved.
It’s not people living in a box; the faces of hunger vary and defy stereotypes.
I think of average everyday people. Students that just need a little extra help, we’re here.
The entire GVSU community benefits from well-nourished students that are not
distracted by hunger.
Making strong connection with my views.
Something that relates to me, addresses an issue in a shocking way, address the varying
factors, and mention statistics.
at GVSU?
We actually just put up a website, which is something we were desperately in need of.
(www.gvsu.edu/restore/). Fliers, posters, word of mouth, just try ways of reaching every
student possible, because everyone should be aware of this resource.
Key Insights:
 ReSTORE is available at anytime for anyone in need.
 It’s important for GVSU students to know that ReSTORE is a resource for them.
 There has been progress on the website, now a separate website from the Women’s
Center.

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Research Bibliography
Citation:
Jordan, Miriam. April 17, 2015. Colleges Launch Food Pantries to Help Low-Income
Students. The Wall Street Journal. http://www.wsj.com/articles/colleges-launch-food-pantries-
to-help-low-income-students-1428408001
Reason for including this source in your work:
To gain a general knowledge of what food pantries offer to students, and how necessary food
pantries are to universities.
Main argument: Write 1-3 complete sentences in your own words that summarize the
The tuition at universities across the US has drastically increased in the past decade, but the
number of students from low-income families has increased. This has proven difficult for
many students who are going through financial hardships, and struggle to afford the food they
need to get by.
Important ideas: Write a bulleted list of 3-5 main ideas from the essay.
v The cost of tuition has increased
v The number of students coming from low-income families has also increased
v There is a stigma attached to receiving food assistance, but it has diminished as food
security is now being viewed more as a right of the students.
v Food pantries are there to help students when they are in need of assistance.
Evidence: Provide 1-2 examples of evidence used to support the author’s argument.
v Tuition has soared 25% at four-year public institutions since 2007
v About 14.5% of U.S. households experienced some form of food insecurity in 2013
according to the Department of Agriculture.
v A survey at Virginia Commonwealth University showed 57% of students at the state
institution had unwillingly gone without food at some point.
v Many of Virginia Commonwealth Universities customers are first-generation college
students.
v At the University of California nearly 20% of low-income students come from households
with annual income under $26,000, compared with 13% in 2008.
Notable quotes, terms, and concepts: Include all new terms and concepts as well as at least 3
quotes that exemplify the essay
v “We have students receiving full aid, but then sleeping in somebody’s car because they
could not afford to pay rent.”
v Referring to the stigma at Virginia Commonwealth Universities food pantry: “We had
assumed a stigma would keep people away, and that just hasn’t been the case.”
v Food Security - a term used by the U.S. government to describe reliable access to a
sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.

32
Strengths:
This article gives a good insight for the
need of food pantries at universities.
Weaknesses:
The article does not dive into the benefits that a
food pantry has on its students from a health
perspective.
Connections: Write 3-5 insights about how this resource connects to your design thinking team
insights thus far.
v There is an obvious need for food pantries at college universities, but the majority of the
students Grand Valley do not know a food pantry exists.
v The article mentions many food pantries are connected with local food banks,
supermarkets, restraints and farms. This was one of our thoughts with our problem statement
to increase the variety of products at ReStore.
v ReStore has a much larger need that it is showing at Grand Valley right now
(approximately 30 students a month). At the University of California 300 students utilize the
pantry each week. For perspective the University of California has 35,415 students, while
GVSU has 25,094.
Questions/Concerns: Write 1-3 questions or concerns this research raises for you and your
team’s work this semester.
Is there as big of stigma about food assistance as our group originally thought, or is it solely
based on the fact that students are not aware that the ReStore exists?
Citation:
Romer, Nancy. 2014. The Radical Potential of the Food Justice Movement. Radical Teacher.
Pages 5-14. DOI 10.5195/rt/2014.78
The reason we’re including this source in our work, is because the coordinators of ReStore
defined their problem statement as a Food Justice issue in their presentation and that is
essentially the heart of the issue that we are trying to spread awareness about across campus,
through our campaign to restore ReStore.
Main argument: Write 1-3 complete sentences in your own words that summarize the main
point of the work:
This article highlights all of the sectors that food justice movement plays a role in, and makes
the argument of how pressure in each sector from those that are oppressed, leads to
improvements in large-scale issues of food insecurities in America and across the world.
· Nancy highlights that the two main threats to the people and the planet are climate
change and corporate control of our economy and polity.

33
·
The sectors that play a role in the Food
Justice Movement Include: farmers in the US, farmers across the globe, food
workers, hunger and Poverty in the US as it is institutionalized, health,
anti-obesity, and the school food movements, community gardens and urban
agriculture, and food and climate change as it relates to the environment.
·
All of these sectors include millions of
people who are oppressed, feeling over worked and under-justiced.
Nancy uses the example of the “Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard” food pantry to demonstrate a
more effective way of curing food justice instead of just treating it’s symptoms. They have a
multiservice approach including “offering food, job training and placement, as well as political
education and organizing to create policy change” (Romer p.9).
She also brings up the examples of New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed ban on
oversized soda and ban on trans fat, as well The San Francisco City Council passing a ban on
prizes in kid’s fast food meals, so that kids would be less manipulated into requesting the.
These examples are a way of signaling the perspective that to change the cycle of obesity as it
affects the poor most, we have to get at the heart of the issue by challenging the corporate
food system.
quotes that exemplify the essay:
She brings up a great point about campaigning for change, which is our group strategy.
“Campaigns to eliminate fast food and junk food commercials from children’s TV
programming could be another national campaign, much like the anti-tobacco and alcohol
campaigns of the past” (Romer p.13). Hunger and obesity are two symptoms of the same food
justice problem and she argues that we need to treat them as a priority.
Notably she brings up that the quality of food is also presented as a structural issue. “The
availability of this cheap, disease-causing food is due to the overproduction of corn, soy, and
rice, subsidized by tax dollars via the U.S. Farm Bill that is used to produce cheap, processed
food that causes obesity and diet-related diseases including diabetes, and heart and joint
diseases. The food is deliberately developed by food corporations to hook their customers and
push this addiction though advertising to kids” (Romer, p10). She argues that the fact that
what is available for poor people to eat is so low quality, is a red flag as an societal issue, and
is not something we should all blindly accept and settle for.
Another notable quote is in the last paragraph, she ends with “the hard reality is that our planet
is changing and there is a growing number of hungry, sick, and non-empowered people living
on it. The world has never more emphatically needed a change in direction: we all know it and

34
we need to make it happen” (Romer, p13). I think this is a great way to conclude and it will
inspire our group to empathetically approach the issue of Food Justice through ReSTORE.
Strengths:
However, this article was clear, well organized
and tremendously informative. There was no
lack of examples, clarifying statements, and
especially no lack of passion. After reading this
I felt upset at the disproportionate distribution
of wealth and how it has held back millions of
people from living long healthy lives. I also felt
empowered that change is possible; the truth is
that the oppressed outnumber the people in
power, and if enough people pressure the issues
that matter, it will result in the change that is
desperately needed.
Weaknesses:
The only weakness I am aware of in this
article, is that opposing views were not
represented. To effectively argue, often
representing the conflicting view in the way
people opposing this see it and then
attacking it with facts on way their view is
wrong or unjust, is an effective persuasive
strategy. This article did not present this
strategy, it assumes that the reader has some
background on the topic of food justice and
why capitalism may be a large factor in the
inequality.
insights thus far:
We now have experienced a paradigm shift in the issue of ending hunger, we want to empower
the oppressed, because they have the power in numbers, and by educating on the underlying
causes of injustice will allow for a call to action.
For an article to have a great impact and ability to offer such important insight, we think is
very valuable for our project and will fuel our efforts to be that change we want to see, starting
with ReStore.
We recognize that for students to feel restored after visiting the food pantry, they need to be
served in more ways than with a bag of food. This food needs to be nourishing, and they need
to walk away informed on food justice and how they can join the movement.
team’s work this semester:
How can we create a campaign that will increase foot traffic at ReSTORE and will also
increase awareness of the Food Justice Movement?
How can we help empower people in our community to take action in the movement towards
food security?
How can we as a group create structural and institutional change at GVSU, in the same way
that models the structural change society needs in order to distribute wealth more justly?

35
Citation:
Fram, Maryah, Frongillo, Edward, Fishbein, Eliza, Burke, Michael. 2014. Role for Schools
and School Social Workers in Improving Child Food Security. Children & Schools. 36/4: 231-
239. 10.1093/cs/cdu018.
This source discusses children dealing with food insecurities in school (K-12) and the stigma
that is associated with being food insecure. The study includes interviews with several
different parents, as well as countless students, on how they perceive food insecurity and what
it is like being a parent/child in the school system while being food insecure and needing
assistance from the school. Learning about and attempting to understand the stigma that is
associated with families that are considered food insecure is an imperative part of setting up an
adequate advertising campaign for a food pantry.
Main argument: Write 1-3 complete sentences in your own words that summarize the
There are countless children today who are experiencing food insecurities in their homes, and
this in turn is affecting their success in school. Although most schools offer some sort of food
assistance for children who are food insecure, many parents/children are too embarrassed
about the associated stigma with being food insecure to accept the assistance they so
desperately need.
v Children experiencing food insecurity can be gravely affected in school settings, due to their
lack of food causing distraction, anger, depression, relationship issues, sleep during school,
sadness, anger, physical tiredness, and ultimately declining success in schoolwork.
v Both children and parents often times attempt to hide their food insecurity issues from
schools in order to protect themselves from the stigma associated with being food insecure,
even when the children/parents are aware that students could be receiving assistance at school.
v It is imperative that schools attempt to recognize food insecure students and offer the
appropriate assistance.
The study was carried out by interviewing 26 families at risk for food insecurity in South
Carolina. There were rural and non-rural families, white and African American families, and
children within the families ranged from elementary school to high school. The results of the
interviews led to findings on how food insecurities affect nearly all aspects of a child’s success
in school. The paper has an entire section focusing on the secrecy of having food insecurities
due to the parents/children seeing the problem as embarrassing, thus, keeping their food
problems hidden.

36
quotes that exemplify the essay.
“…This involved fears about the social implications of receiving food assistance and related
stigma. A seventh grader explained: ‘I get free breakfast, but I don’t eat breakfast because . . .
the cafeteria, it’s really just for, like, sixth graders and, you know, it’s kind of weird going in
there, like, by yourself . . . it’s like all the people from the buses go, you know, and I’m just,
like, I’m not, most of my friends are, like, car riders, so then I got to, like, sit by people I don’t
know.’”
“In addition, parents often tried to hide food problems from their children, seeking to protect
them from worries and hardships. Children generally were aware anyway and, at times, tried
to hide their awareness and efforts to help make food last from their parents—for instance,
cutting back their own eating and telling the parent they were not hungry. In addition, both
parents and children reported discomfort at letting people outside the family know about their
challenges.”
“One particular challenge to identification of child food insecurity in school is the secrecy that
children and parents sometimes create to protect themselves from stigma. Simply offering
resources or inviting children and parents to ask for help may not be adequate. Even when
children know that they can access food-related help at school, the fear of being seen, labeled,
and stigmatized can be a strong deterrent, particularly for older children who are more aware
of stigma and peer judgment (McLoyd et al., 2009 ). For instance, recall the middle school boy
who often went hungry but would not risk the embarrassment of teachers knowing about his
situation. Extending this thinking, school-based approaches that rely on child and family self-
identification may exclude some of the most vulnerable children due to family fear that
drawing attention to food needs will lead to unwanted systems involvement, such as a child
neglect report.”
Strengths:
There are in fact schools that provide food
assistance to those students who truly need
it. This is crucial to countless students,
who otherwise would be left hungry, and
would drastically suffer in school.
Weaknesses:
It is difficult to pick out what children may or
may not be experiencing food insecurities in their
homes, especially when so many children and
their parents attempt to hide it due to the stigma
associated with being food insecure.
insights thus far.
v It is evident that many students, no matter the age, fear the stigma that is associated with
needing food assistance. This could have a large impact on why so few students are using the
pantry at GV.
v It is imperative that we remember that food insecurity very likely is not the only hardship a
student is facing, and to remain mindful of this fact when attempting to make an effective
campaign.
v Feeling embarrassed or ashamed to ask for food assistance is common; therefore, it is
crucial for any form of food assistance to be made well known in order for students to know
that assistance is available.

37
v How are we going to help future food pantry users overcome the stigma associated with
needing food assistance?
v How can we show students through our campaign that it is more important to receive food
assistance than it is to go hungry?
v How can we come up with a campaign/movement that is free of a stigma, and focuses on
food justice and ensuring everyone has enough to eat?
Citation:
Kicinski, Leah R. 2012. "Characteristics of Short and Long-Term Food Pantry Users."
Michigan Sociological Review 26: 58-74.
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1291896323?pq-origsite=summon
With an advertising campaign it is important to know your audience. This article and research
study explains who is using food pantries and touches on why they are using it. It also explains
how some of the clients are finding out about organizations.
Main argument: Write 1-3 complete sentences in your own words that summarize the source
The use of food pantries is on the rise as the amount of food insecurity increases along with
the use of government assistance. There are a wide variety of customers that use food pantries
as observed in their research survey of 104 pantry users including both long-term and short-
term users.
 The majority of users are Caucasian and unemployed.
 Most food pantry users are also using another government-funded program.
 Fifty percent of food pantries users that were surveyed started coming in the past two
years but twenty percent have been coming for decades.
The surveys that they did for their research as part of this article supports all their arguments
as they surveyed both the food pantry directors and clients. However, it is hard to gather
accurate information on these subjects because each pantry gathers data in their own way.

38
“Both public and private policy makers wanted to address the hunger problem without creating
a system of dependence or abuse.”
“The General Social Survey suggests that 75 percent of adults believe poverty is the result of
the first cause - the poor are in their situation because of individual attributes of alcoholism
and drug abuse. Furthermore, 90 percent of adults feel that those in poverty are not making
changes to improve their situation.”
“ Among those in the sample aged 1929 (n =18) 70 percent selected either brochures at the
center or mailed to their home to learn about additional services. Fourteen percent suggested
TV commercials, while ads on the internet were only suggested by 5 percent of the age
group.”
Strengths:
They were able to get a good sample size along
with covering 11 pantries. They also answered a
wide range of questions from both the
perspective of the client and the director.
Weaknesses:
The study was not a random sample since it
was based on who was willing to do the
survey so it may have not been
representative of everyone who goes to a
food pantry.
insights thus far.
 Statistics prove that there is a need for food pantries for both the use of students and
faculty.
 Clients prefer something they can physically have for information and advertisement
over internet advertisement.
 There is a stigma associated with food pantries that must be overcome as referenced in
the quotes section.
 Is social media and emailing not the way to go for our generation? If so, how are we
going to create awareness?
 How many of the faculty/staff have food insecurity and are they aware that the food
pantry is open to their use?
Citation:
Hensel, K., & Deis, M. H. (2010). Using Social Media to Increase Advertising and Improve
Marketing. Entrepreneurial Executive, 15, 87.

39
Social media is a prominent way of advertising that is essential for our advertising campaign
for ReStore. As we begin to prototype it will be important to have research on what works and
what doesn’t.
Main argument: Write 1-3 complete sentences in your own words that summarize the article:
Social media is expanding the use of the internet in marketing and advertising as more and
more companies use it to their advantage. With this comes opportunities to reach the clients in
a more personal way and the ability to receive feedback almost instantaneously.
Social media has been expanding and now the amount of sites classified as social media is
abundant.
People (potential clients) spend countless hours on these social media websites so it creates an
easy way for advertising campaigns to reach them.
In order to have a successful campaign you must first know your audience and who you are
catering to(empathize).
Social media should not be your only means of advertising.
To show that social media is continuing to grow they gave the statistic that “Facebook traffic
has increased over 200% in the past year and Twitter traffic has increased over 1500%”
There were also statistics concerning business who use social media.
"social media presents tremendous opportunities for networking, collaborating, sharing best
practices, communicating and connecting to a nearly unlimited pool of people with similar
needs and wants."
Attention Age:
“ The Attention Age, which began in the first years of the 21st century, is relevant because it
has given individuals the ability to create and consume information immediately and distribute
it on the Internet.”
“We are now definitely in the social media era, and the use of blogging is continually
increasing because feel that they are actively engaged in a conversation.”
“When developing a social media strategy, you must determine (a) who the customers are and
what they do, (b) does the information that a firm can provide to the customers mean anything,
and (c) is it valuable.”
“follow the sequence below when developing an effective media marketing campaign.
1. Identify your audience
2. Define your success measurements
3. Plan a Strategy that Includes All Stakeholders
4. Be transparent
5. Recognize that it's not about you”
Strengths:
They provided both the advantages and
disadvantages to using social media so that you
Weaknesses:
There are some contradicting ideas that
seem confusing at times. The article also

40
can decide whether it is worth it for your
company. They also give lists that are easy to
understand and comprehend.
seemed repetitive throughout. It seems like
a lot of sources that are thrown together in
certain parts.
insights thus far.
Social media is a necessary component for our advertising campaign.
We need to establish a clear audience of who we want to receive our message.
Although social media will reach a large amount of people, it is important to use other means
of advertising as well.
Social media will be time consuming.
Who will maintain the social media for ReStore?
Which sites should we use?
How do we go about getting the approval for a social media page for a GVSU program?
Citation:
Sandoval, T. (2012). Lingering insecurity sends students to campus food banks. The Chronicle
of Higher Education, Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.gvsu.edu/docview/1040844091?accountid=39473
This article touches on the number of students that may be impacted by food insecurity,
thereby creating a measurable target for us to use as we seek to define the success of our
advertising campaign. The article also touches on several ways in which student food pantries
have sought to reach potential users in need of the service, as well as reduce any stigma that
may be attached to using a food pantry.
Main argument:
Despite improvements in the economy, the need to food pantries continues to exist and in fact
grow. The article cites studies from the City University of New York, which concluded that as
many as 39% of their students are at risk for food insecurity.
v An improved economy does not always correlate to a decrease in need.
v Despite over a third of students at CUNY are profiled to be at risk for food insecurity, only
7.2% reported using local food pantries.

41
v Stigma can play an important role in deciding whether or not a person may or may not
choose to use a food pantry.
Evidence:
The primary source of evidence on the potential impact of food insecurity was a localized
study conducted by Nicholas Freudenberg, a professor at the CUNY School of Public Health
at Hunter College. The study was based on surveys given to students by faculty in 2010.
Notable quotes, terms, and concepts:
 Nicholas Freudenberg - “Students who have limited access to food have higher levels
of stress and more trouble concentrating on academics, he says. ‘We were concerned
from a social-welfare point of view.’"
 “No data fully capture the extent of college students' hunger nationally, but some
localized studies offer a glimpse. Faculty in the City University of New York system,
for instance, surveyed students in 2010, finding that in the previous year, 39 percent
had either gone hungry for lack of money, skipped meals, or been unable to afford
balanced meals.”
 “The staff is also trying to make visiting the Rack less embarrassing, she says. They
provide nondescript bags from the university bookstore, for instance, so no one will
know what students are carrying.”
Strengths:
The article explores the problem of food
insecurity on college campuses from multiple
vantage points, including potential demand for
the service, reasons students may/may not use
it, and examples of how to reach the clients
who need this service.
Weaknesses:
The article admittedly focuses on a narrow
scope, choosing to highlight data from one
university. This limits the point of view on
campus food insecurity to one type of
demographic. The City University of New
York is located in Manhattan, a far cry from
Morgantown, WV (home of West Virginia
University), or even Grand Valley State for
that matter. The data used in the survey is
also five years old at this point, leading to
questions on its relevance today.
insights thus far.
v The article highlighted multiple ways in which the Rack (WVU’s food pantry) sought to
reach students. They highlighted multiple types of social media as well as printed material.
v The subject of stigma was broached, as the Rack has implemented countermeasures to
reduce any potential stigma associated with the food pantry. This was also highlighted in one
of our stakeholder interviews.
v The problem is multi-faceted. The article references food insecurity in regards to students
going hungry for lack of money, skipping meals, or being unable to afford balanced meals.

Reaching More Students in Need: Increasing Awareness of GVSU's ReSTORE Food Pantry

Reaching More Students in Need: Increasing Awareness of GVSU's ReSTORE Food Pantry

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