Bear pantry

Bear Pantry offers help to the university community

JACK McGEE Staff Reporter

To combat food insecurity at Missouri State, the Bear Pantry has helped students for over a year and looks to continue making an impact in the community.

Alex Johnson is a director at the Center for Community Engagement at MSU that oversees the Bear Pantry, which has been a member of the College and University Food Bank Alliance since its establishment in 2019.

“I think having an accessible place for students to get food is necessary.” -MSU alumnus Kayli Owens

MSU is a part of a movement, reflected by the College and University Food Bank Alliance’s 700+ members with means to prevent college students from going hungry while going to school.

“We are fortunate to have support from students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members,” Johnson said.

“I think that food insecurity is a real and scary thing,” said MSU alumnus Kayli Owens. “I think having an accessible place for students to get food is necessary.”

Based on a study conducted by the Ozarks Food Harvest, up to 15% of Southwest Missourians don’t know where their next meal is coming from, and 67% of recipients must choose between paying for food or utilities. Food banks are popping up all around the country, with some, like Bear Pantry, exclusively geared to help university communities.

The Bear Pantry is one of the many growing initiatives of MSU’s Center for

File photo by Kendra Kernel/THE STANDARD The Bear Pantry is located in University Hall. For questions, call or text 417-699-0415.

Community Engagement that has been boasting a Carnegie Classification for a decade. They aim to “... foster and promote more collective community impact …” and this has been displayed through the help and support of students and faculty who work at the Bear Pantry.

The impact of a group of volunteers can be immense, and so can every donation. Bear Pantry offers multiple avenues for anyone to help the cause. Money contributions can be given by cash, card, check or money order and offers the possibility for charitable income tax deductions, according to Bear Pantry’s page on the Missouri State website.

Donation drives are another helpful way to collect food and necessities. Lastly, in the age of online shopping, an assortment of perishables, nonperishables, hygiene items and toiletries can be sent directly to the Bear Pantry from their own Amazon wish list, which can be found at missouristate.edu/cce/donate.htm.

“Academic departments and student organizations have conducted food and hygiene drives, students have developed advocacy campaigns, and alumni have made generous donations to support Bear Pantry efforts,” Johnson added.

These volunteers and contributions were made for helping people, and they offer the opportunity for anyone to reach out and utilize their resources. Bear Pantry has a first time user form, followed by an online shopping form, where one can pick what food and hygiene items they need most.

Bear Pantry is located in University Hall. Hours may vary, but they can be reached at 417-699-0415 with any questions. Bear Pantry’s Twitter account, @ msu_bearpantry, provides a glimpse of the help they give and receive from not only across campus, but also the Springfield community.

For students who would like to get in volved as volunteers at Bear Pantry, Johnson encourages them to contact him at BearPantry@missouristate.edu.

KELSEY BENACK Staff Reporter @kelseybenack

As the fall 2020 semester kicks off, returning Missouri State students prepare to once again visit their favorite local restaurants, businesses and other unique spots.

Food

Grace Rowland, MSU alumnus, said one of her favorite Springfield restaurants is Van Gogh’s Eeterie. Van Gogh’s is located on Commercial Street, also known as C-Street.

“Van Gogh’s is unique because there aren’t any other places around here where you can try Dutch food, and they have the best Amsterdam fog, which is like a London fog but green,” Rowland said. “The atmosphere is really cool; they have these big murals of Van Gogh and real wooden clogs up on the wall.”

More of Rowland’s favorites include That Lebanese Place and Cafe Cusco on C-Street.

“That Lebanese Place, for me, is all about the food,” Rowland said. “I love Mediterranean food and their’s reminds me of the Mediterranean Bistro back in Bolivar, Missouri. I would also recommend Cafe Cusco on C-Street for an opportunity to try Peruvian food. They’ve got rabbit, goat and duck, if you’re feeling adventurous, but they have classic chicken and beef dishes too and some delicious desserts.”

Alumnus Sadie Carrillo, Missouri State also recommends Cafe Cusco for its Peruvian-inspired food.

“My favorite thing to order is the Lomo Saltado,” Carrillo said. “It’s honestly a great place to go for date night.”

Another one of Carrillo’s Springfield favorites is Chabom Teas and Spices, another C-Street option.

Sinjin Delmore/ THE STANDARD Cafe Cusco, a quaint Peruvian restaurant, is located at 234 E. Commercial St.

“Chabom is a cool tea place where there’s so many different types of loose leaf tea, including flower tea bombs, spices and dried herbs from different countries and different tea sets,” Carrillo said. “Before you decide to buy loose leaf tea, you can actually get a cup of that tea brewed at the tea bar they have, so you can taste it.”

MSU alumnus Allison Saiko said she would always visit St. Michael’s, specifically for its banana bread. St. Michael’s sits on the corner of South Avenue and West McDaniel Street.

“I hardly ever hear people talking about it, but it’s something I always get for friends when they visit from out of town,” Saiko said.

Elizabeth Moore, senior interior design major, said she visited European Cafe with her friends when she was first living in the dorms. Now, when she visits the cafe, she experiences the nostalgia of her freshman year of college.

“European Cafe has the best blueberry lavender lemonade,” Moore said.

European Cafe is located on Park Central East, right off the square.

Parks and Attractions

Moore also visited Founders Park frequently when she was an underclassman. The park, built to resemble a quarry, is located on East Water Street and features an amphitheater for concerts.

“Founders Park is full of history, and I learned so much when I went there,” Moore said. “It’s also fun to just climb all over the concrete blocks all day.”

Debra Zerr, senior fashion design and product development major, said one of her favorite spots is 1984, a vintage arcade in downtown Springfield.

“The 1984 arcade downtown is the coolest place ever, and it’s super reasonably priced to play whatever and however

Seek out Springy’s hidden gems

many games you want — all old arcade games and old pinball machines that require quarters,” Zerr said.

Senior merchandising and product development major Julia Manthei recommends Farmers Park and said it has a very fun and relaxing atmosphere, especially in the summer.

Sinjin Delmore/ THE STANDARD Founders Park is located at 330 E. Water St., near Brick City in downtown Springfield.

Farmers Park is where the farmers market of the Ozarks is held and has multiple unique, little shops.

“Farmers Park is special to me because it is a local place that supports many small businesses,” Manthei said.

There are hundreds of restaurants and businesses in Springfield waiting to be explored, and Springfield has a website that organizes them by category. Visit SpringfieldMO.org and look under the “Things to Do” tab for more food and attractions.

Sounds of Springfield and where to find them

M. TODD DEARING Lifestyle Editor @mtodddearing

Springfield is home to a vibrant community of arts, culture and music sure to fit the taste of anyone. Here are just some of the artists and venues Springfield has to offer.

Emalee Flatness, Missouri State University sophomore history major, is a prolific bluegrass musician who has played at numerous festivals and shows with her band Po’ Anna, as well as winning the National Endowment of the Arts Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge in 2019 for her song “Carolina.” Combining her two passions of history and music, Flatness has written several songs which capture the mythos

File photo by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD Indigenous Rejj of St. Louis belts out a lyric at The Grove in April 2020. The Grove has since closed to the public.

File photo by Jaylen Early/THE STANDARD Dylan, member of The Show Boys, plays a note during the Back to School Bash at Front of House Lounge in downtown Springfield in January 2020.

of the past.

“A lot of young folk are hesitant to listen to bluegrass or folk music,” Flatness said. “However, I would urge everyone to give it a try, since folk music is the root of almost all American music, and continues to grow and develop.”

Cole Simmons, also known as Brat Pitt, is a local indie pop artist who frequents venues like the Outland Complex and Lindberg’s Tavern. A fan of the local music scene, Simmons lamented the drought of shows during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“I think that time apart from live music has grounded everyone in this humble reality,” Simmons said. “I’ve come to the conclusion that we’ve taken those shows for granted.”

Simmons expressed a great excitement to get back to performing live.

“Shows to me are just full of love and community,” Simmons said. “I am sure other places are like Springfield in that sense but this is where I live and that makes it special for me.”

Another MSU student artist, sophomore vocal/choral education major Sam Coyour, has performed his solo act at several shows, including the SAC hosted Coffee Shop Sound in the PSU. A vocalist with experience in instruments like the saxophone, piano and guitar, Coyour has developed a unique pop sound with influences from jazz and musical theater.

“I probably have the most respect for jazz music,” Coyour said. “Hearing jazz makes you think about music in such different ways.”

For venues with lots of shows and a lively atmosphere, look no further than the Outland Complex. A staple of the Springfield music scene for 30 years, the venue is split into three venues, including The Outland, The Outland Ballroom and Front of House Lounge, each with a unique vibe. The Outland Complex has seen artists from Reverend Horton Heat to Tech N9ne.

“The Outland is the venue of Springfield Missouri, period,” said Johan Collins, founder of Springood, a booking company for numerous places and events around Springfield including The Outland Complex. “It has so much flavor and heart, and it really offers something for everybody.”

For bigger performances, check out the Gillioz Theater. As Springfield’s largest venue, The Gillioz has seen artists from Henry Rollins to Josh Turner on its stage. As a nonprofit organization, it’s open to volunteers for anyone interested.