Stonehill’s pantry combines food access with sustainability

By Mack Eon

Stonehill College’s Food Pantry, located in Room 206 of the MacPhaidin Library, continues to serve the campus community as a resource for students and staff in need.  

Run by Reverend Aaron Morris, C.S.C., and supported by student volunteers, the pantry offers food, toiletries, and sustainable products in a space designed to be open and judgment-free. 

Morris, who took over the pantry in 2024, said its guiding philosophy is to ensure anyone who walks through the door feels welcome. 

“One of the things is that we don’t ask questions if folks come in, we don’t pry into why. We get gratitude from folks, but we don’t want them to feel anxious about being in need,” he said. 

The pantry operates entirely on donations. While the main goal is to support those facing food insecurity, Morris said it also caters to people seeking more environmentally friendly solutions, such as avoiding plastic packaging. 

“We don’t take more than we need, as other people, other creatures need these things too,” he said.  

He compared this mindset to the story of Moses and the Israelites in the desert, where they were instructed to take only what they needed so nothing went to waste. 

 “A sense of gratitude and sustainability are crucial to us,” he said. 

For students, the pantry represents both a resource and a way to give back. Anna Varholak ’26, a student leader who helps organize pantry efforts, said her involvement is driven by a desire to make the space accessible to anyone who might benefit. 

“From a student perspective, the goal is still the same; to provide supplies for those who need it, in a way that’s very open, welcoming, and non-judgmental,” she said. 

Varholak said everyone was welcome at the pantry. 

“We encourage people to come as they are, take what they need, and go,” she said. 

When the pantry was first launched during Stonehill’s Sodexo meal plan, it was more heavily used. Since the college switched to a new dining system, Varholak said demand has decreased- but the pantry continues to serve its purpose. 

“It’s nice to see the need has gone down, but at the same time, the pantry is still meeting a need that might otherwise go unnoticed,” she said. 

In addition to food, the pantry also expanded its offerings. Hygiene products, refillable bottles, and other sustainable items are now available, reflecting a growing focus on environmental responsibility. The pantry also partners with campus initiatives, such as the Green Period Project, which distributes sustainable menstrual products to students. 

Varholak said this expansion is an important step in making the pantry more accessible to the wider community. 

“It’s a way to give back to the community here,” she said. “Everyone deserves access to food, and it means a lot to provide that access and work with students to create a community around the pantry.” 

Morris agreed, saying that the pantry depends entirely on the generosity of others. Donations from the community keep the shelves stocked, and both he and student leaders encourage people to see giving as a way to share abundance. 

“We encourage those to see the abundance in the world and share in that abundance. It’s about gratitude, sustainability, and making sure no one feels alone in their time of need,” he said. 

The Stonehill Food Pantry is open to all members of the campus community. Donations of nonperishable food items, hygiene supplies, and sustainable goods are always welcome and can be dropped off directly at the pantry.