In early November, the Equity and Diversity Center notified the North Dakota State University community that it was launching a coat drive to benefit students who are not prepared for the upcoming cold weather months. According to Kara Gravley-Stack, center director, faculty and staff were generous with their donations of winter coats, hats, mittens, scarves and other clothing. In partnership with the NDSU Bookstore, Churches United for the Homeless and United Campus Ministries, enough coats were collected to serve more than 200 students.

Staff in the Equity and Diversity Center have decided to expand the coat drive to an on-going food and clothing pantry on the third floor of the center. "One of the needs we help to meet in the Office of Multicultural Programs is location of emergency food. Since its inception, the Equity and Diversity Center has supported an ethic of care that holistically approaches student learning, growth and development," says Malika Carter, assistant director in the Office of Multicultural Programs. "The addition of a food pantry will continue to showcase the internal and external campus community that students are paramount at NDSU. It also will help further poise the university community to continue meeting the needs of students we serve at NDSU."

Students who have a demonstrated need for food or clothing assistance for themselves or the dependent children they support, can contact the Equity and Diversity Center for this service. Any students, faculty, staff or members of the Fargo-Moorhead community who want to support this endeavor also may contact the center for more details. The center is located in the Alba Bales House or you can call (701) 231-5728.

Additional food and clothing items also will be available at United Campus Ministry at 1239 12th Street N., Fargo, or you can call (701) 235-0672.