Fighting hunger
by Nathaniel Miller
Of all the questions St. Mary’s University students need to prepare for, no one should have to figure out where their next meal will come from.
If that’s ever the case, the Rattler Den can provide an answer.
Launched in Fall 2023 after expanding from a Grab-and-Go, a place offering quick meal options at certain times of the day, the Rattler Den is a full pantry located in the Center for Life Directions.
The goal of the Rattler Den is to battle food insecurity on campus by collecting non-perishable foods and hygiene products. Items in the pantry are free to all St. Mary’s students.
“It’s been nice to offer this support to our students,” said Vanessa Peña, Ph.D. (B.S. ’04), Executive Director of Student Health and Wellness Programs. “It’s a donation-based pantry at the moment, and most of it comes from our St. Mary’s community.”
Anyone wanting to donate can deliver items in person or by scheduling an appointment. A list of items needed can be found on the University’s website.
University Ministry is also hosting a food and hygiene drive for Rattler Den through Wednesday, Nov. 20. Drop-off locations will be available on campus.
Students fill out a short form to access the pantry. Peña said this allows Student Health and Wellness to establish a long-term solution, such as connecting the student with the San Antonio Food Bank. Any future contact would be done through email for privacy.
“If we see the same student coming in twice a week consistently, then that lets us know they might be having bigger challenges than what our food pantry can address,” she said.
Christine “Chris” Erevelles, M.D.“Ensuring our students have adequate access to food is essential to their academic success but, moreover, to their overall health and well-being.”
According to a survey by Feeding Texas, an organization in the state that covers food insecurity, 29% of students at four-year universities experience hunger.
Christine “Chris” Erevelles, M.D., wife of President Winston Erevelles, Ph.D., and a supporter of the Rattler Den, said food insecurity can affect concentration, memory and mood. This can contribute to anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances.
The couple has championed the pantry through every step of its iteration.
“Food insecurity drives people to focus on acquiring cheaper, often less healthy food options, which increases rates of obesity, diabetes and hypertension,” Chris Erevelles said. “Ensuring our students have adequate access to food is essential to their academic success but, moreover, to their overall health and well-being.”
