The Wesley Food Pantry will open its doors at 2 p.m. Wednesday to distribute food to anyone with a valid Panthercard.

The Wesley Foundation is running the pantry, located at 2202 Fourth St.

The pantry will be open from 2 to 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month.

Jess Howell, a junior special education major, is the student leader of Wesley Food Pantry.

Howell said the pantry is different from others because it is student centered.

“Rachel Fisher, who is the director of student community service, and I thought of this idea before Christmas break,” she said.  “The pantry is centered more towards students who are working and going to school full-time, and buying food can be a hassle, so we take the burden away from them.”

The pantry is not just for students, but for staff and faculty as well

Howell said the types of food that will be available at the pantry do not need to be prepared.

“The food can be microwaved or just eaten straight from the package,” she said. “Students will benefit from this and it will make their lives easier.”

She said the pantry will be a convenience for the students, staff and faculty who are busy with their lives at school and work, and they will not have to worry as much about being able to buy food.

Howell said people do not have to pay to use the pantry.

Stephanie White can be reached at 581-2812 or at sewhite2@eiu.edu.