STCU Donates $7,500 to Support Eastern Oregon University Food Pantry

STCU Donates $7,500 to Support Eastern Oregon University Food Pantry

LA GRANDE, Ore. — Eastern Oregon University received a generous $7,500 donation from Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU) to support the university’s on-campus food pantries and student basic needs programs. The gift arrives at a critical moment for EOU’s Benefits Navigator Program, which oversees pantry operations and provides essential resources for students facing food insecurity.

EOU Benefits Navigator and alumna Pamela Frederick Williams, ‘20, said the donation came as an unexpected, and deeply needed, surprise.

“I had been working on budget planning for our campus pantries and upcoming events, and it wasn’t looking like we would have enough funds to meet the growing needs of our students,” she said. “Then I received a phone call from Michelle at STCU. She simply said, ‘Hi, my name is Michelle from STCU, and I would like to donate to your EOU food pantry. When would you be available to meet?’ I immediately said yes, thinking they might donate some food items to help fill our empty shelves.”

What Williams didn’t realize was that STCU planned to present a monetary gift.

“When Bennie Moses, Associate Vice President of Strategic Equity Initiatives, reached out for clarification, I suddenly realized I hadn’t even asked what type of donation they were making,” she added. “When Michelle arrived on campus and presented a check for $7,500, I was overwhelmed. What a blessing. I can not thank STCU enough for this generous donation. It will have a great impact on our students.”

For Williams, who graduated from EOU during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting the campus food pantry is personal. When she enrolled at the university in 2016, the resources available to students looked very different.

“There were no on-campus food pantries, and the support systems we have today simply did not exist,” she said. “As a student, I often struggled to stretch limited funds, skipping meals and relying on whatever food I could afford. Many students still face those same challenges today.”

She emphasized the critical role campus food support now plays in student success.

“Higher education is expensive. For many students, financial strain means choosing between tuition and food,” she said. “The pantry and the Benefits Navigator Program help eliminate that impossible choice. Reliable access to nutritious food reduces stress, supports well-being, and allows students to focus on learning rather than survival. It’s the safety net I wish I had when I was a student.”

Motivated by a desire to give back to the university that shaped her, she pursued the Benefits Navigator role.

“My first goal was to return to EOU and contribute to student success,” she said. “In this position, I’m able to support all EOU students as they navigate their academic journeys.”

The donation from STCU will help restock pantry shelves, support upcoming outreach events, and expand food availability across campus.

“STCU’s generosity ensures that no student has to navigate hunger while trying to pursue their education,” she said. “This gift will directly impact student well-being and success.”For more information about EOU’s food pantry services or the Benefits Navigator Program, visit https://www.eou.edu/mc/uncategorized/5082/.