FRIENDS OF SWOOP’S
11111
Dear Friends of Swoop’s,
A new school year has begun! We
had a very busy summer planning
fun events and food drives for fall
kick off. We want to be sure to
keep you in the loop of all the
exciting things we have planned
for this school year, so we will be
sending out our newsletter
quarterly. Read on to learn more!
Upcoming Events
September 4, 11a-3p
First Annual Open House
We recognize that using a food
pantry can be intimidating – there
is still a great deal of stigma that
comes along with “asking for
help.” This year, we are hosting
our first annual open house so
people can see what it’s really like
inside of a food pantry and have
an opportunity to get to know
some of our staff. Light
refreshments will be served and
there will be plenty of prizes to win.
Guests who stop by the open
house will learn how the pantry
functions on a daily basis, see the
healthy food options we offer,
and if you have never seen the
pantry you will receive a tour
where you will see what’s actually
Issue #1
IN THIS ISSUE
on our shelves (it’s not just
ramen!). The event is free and
we’d love to see you there – even Upcoming Events
Learn about our upcoming open house and
if you have seen the pantry
how you can get involved with our annual
before! Thanksgiving baskets.
November Page #1
Annual Thanksgiving baskets
For many, November means Passing the Torch
Meet our new Graduate Assistant, Joelle
enjoying a home cooked meal Sommers!
with family. Unfortunately, not
every family can afford that meal, Page #2
nor can everyone find a way to
be with their loved ones. Swoop’s Swoop’s Tidbits
is dedicated to helping students More information, photos, and a list of the
make Thanksgiving a little easier. pantry’s most needed items.
Since 2015, Swoop’s has put Page #3
together 145 baskets interested
shoppers to take home. Baskets
include a whole turkey, stuffing,
side dishes like canned veggies,
potatoes, cranberry sauce, a pie
crust, pie filling, and necessary
dairy needed to make the meal.
We would not be able to offer
these baskets without our
generous donors. If you would like
to donate, please send us an
email expressing interest in the
baskets and we will be sure to
send you more information as
November nears.
FRIENDS OF SWOOP’S Issue # 1 2

team. Soon she

discovered a
calling in Social
Passing the Work and
chose to minor
Torch in it. On her first
day, she
encountered a
As many as you know, our founder hesitant
and Graduate Assistant, Haley shopper who
Moraniec, has officially told her the
graduated. We are so proud of pantry would
her and all her accomplishments, only be a
but the time for her to leave the temporary
pantry has come. She will always thing for her
be around in spirit, and physically and she
when she misses us (we hope), but assured her
she is no longer overseeing the that the pantry
pantry. would always
be there for all
Our new graduate assistant is not
students when
new to the pantry at all. It is our
they needed it.
pleasure to introduce, Joelle
She says that
Sommers! Joelle has been with the
she never serves the same student
pantry since Fall of 2015. She has
twice. Many students come in for
been a fantastic team leader
their first time, but the ones who
since 2016. A Flint, Michigan WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
return, the students are in a
native, Joelle came to EMU ready JOELLE?
different place.
to take on the world of Joelle did an interview on our blog where she
psychology. Her goal was to learn Joelle has always exemplified our talked about her experience, interests and
all the tools she needed to help quest to make life easier for EMU more. Head over to
https://orgsync.com/162789/news_posts/25213
people with special attention to students. Now with a bachelor’s 8
children and families. degree in Psychology in hand, she
will return this fall for her master’s in
After finding Swoop’s on
social work and to help the pantry
Handshake while looking for a job,
thrive.
she applied for a position on our
 FRIENDS OF SWOOP’S Issue # 1 3

Swoop’s Tidbits Below: Turkeys that were donated

PHOTO CORNER &
from last year’s Thanksgiving basket
QUICK FACTS
haul
Right: Thank you letters from
Did You Know? students and family members from
last year’s Thanksgiving baskets
In addition to donations from students,
professors, community members, and sponsors,
Swoop’s also receives food from Food Gatherers.
This organization is dedicated to distributing, safe
and nutritious foods to their community and
combat hunger. They are where we get a lot of
our produce like the fruit down below

WHAT DO WE NEED

Often Swoop’s associates are asked

what people can donate. We can
accept any nonperishable foods that
are sealed and not expired. The next
Help us make your question is usually what’s popular or
needed.
message known. Reach
out to our editors and
we can get you featured • Peanut butter
• Jelly/Jam
in an upcoming • Salad dressing
newsletter! • Oatmeal
• Mac N’ Cheese
Above: In the summer of 2017 Swoop's started a
Community Garden. The garden has a ton lot of • Soups
fresh herbs and vegetables. Anyone can take from • Canned Ravioli
the garden for free. Doesn't even count as a pantry
visit.
• Toothbrushes
• Dish soap
• Sponges/towels
• Laundry supplies
• Any school supplies
FRIENDS OF SWOOP’S Issue # 1 4

ks

Friends Thank you,

of Not just for reading this newsletter, not just for giving to the
pantry, but every form of love and support that you have
Swoop’s given whether it be very recently or since the beginning. We
couldn’t do it without you. We can’t say it enough, but again,
Quarterly thank you.
Can be expanded or deleted if you wanted your own statement in there

Pierce Hall. room 104

Ypsilanti, MI, 48197

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