McNeese Logo

McNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY

Poke Pantry

Poke Pantry

Fostering Student Well-Being

“Fostering student wellbeing by alleviating the mental pressures of food and essential supply insecurities while providing a greater ability to focus on academic goals and the overall student experience”

Purpose

  • The Poke Pantry is designed to provide emergency assistance to McNeese students who may be experiencing food or essential supply insecurity.
  • Its purpose is to help ease these immediate challenges so that students can focus more fully on their academic goals and overall university experience. This initiative was originally established with funding from the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) to support student mental health and is now sustained through student support funding.
  • The pantry is managed by the Office of Student Services, and items are distributed through an online reservation process.
  • While the Poke Pantry offers short-term relief, it is not intended to serve as a substitute for regular grocery shopping. The service is available exclusively to actively enrolled McNeese students.

How to Use the Poke Pantry

  • Submit a request using the request form.
  • Requests should be submitted at least one week in advance.
  • Students can submit a written request (including justification) to pokepantry@mcneese.edu.
  • Each pantry item has a point value.
  • Students who abuse the pantry operation will receive a written warning followed by a loss of pantry access.

Items Available in the Poke Pantry

The Poke Pantry maintains a wide variety of non-perishable food, hygiene, cleaning, and other essentials, supporting the overall well-being of McNeese students.

Claiming Your Pantry Items

Students will select a day and time to claim their pantry items. Students should not attempt to retrieve their own items from the pantry.

Pickup times are the following:

  •         Monday – Thursday (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
  •         There are no pickups on Fridays

Pantry Location

The Poke Pantry is located in the Holbrook Student Union Annex (New Ranch) near the Einstein Bros food court. Access is restricted to Student Services staff. Students with scheduled pickups must check in at the Student Services office, Suite 207, located on the 2nd floor of the New Ranch. 

Questions

If you have questions concerning the Poke Pantry, contact the Office of Student Services at 337-475-5609 or email pokepantry@mcneese.edu.

Office of Campus Compliance & Civility | Sexual Misconduct Policy | EOE/AA/ADA | Web Disclaimer | Policy Statements | University Status & Emergency Preparedness | A member of the University of Louisiana System | Consumer Disclosure Information | Title IX | Web Accessibility Statement

Ashley Bass

I am a McNeese graduate with a bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Science and a concentration in Child and Family Studies. As a student, I competed on the rodeo team and served on the SGA board. I earned my master’s degree in 2022 from the University of South Dakota in Educational Administration and Leadership with a concentration in Adult and Higher Ed. I have over 13 years of experience in adult education and 20 years of educational experience.

My favorite part of being a Freshman Advisor is helping students navigate their new life routine as a college freshman by offering support with in-person office visits or by email to help students meet their goals. I always remind students of my favorite BB King quote – “Education is one thing no one can ever take away from you.”  I believe that supporting students is vital to a student's success.

In my spare time, I raise registered American Brahman cattle, and I enjoy all the "country girl" things like hunting, fishing, growing a garden and cooking.

ADVISOR FOR:
  • College of Liberal Arts (excluding music)
  • Burton College of Education (ELEM and EDPR majors)