The Birdfeeder
The Birdfeeder is a not-for-profit food pantry created to help meet the basic needs of all Roadrunners. Our staff understands college is stressful enough without worrying about where your next meal is coming from – this is where the Birdfeeder comes in to ensure students can focused on academics.
The Birdfeeder is a not-for-profit food pantry created to help meet the basic needs of all Roadrunners. We understand college is stressful enough without worrying about where your next meal is coming from – this is where the Birdfeeder comes in to ensure students can focused on academics.
If your cabinets are a little empty; you're skipping meals or otherwise stressed about food, the Birdfeeder has resources to help. The Birdfeeder provides supplemental support, this means that we do not provide all the food and supplies you will need for one week, but our goal is to reduce your grocery bill and help ensure students are receiving the nutrition needed to be successful inside the classroom.
2014
The Birdfeeder opened in January of 2014 as a food bank for students living on campus after several people noticed students were struggling academically due to food insecurity. Employee Sherry Breitweiser saw students needed food and began keeping small items such as cereal in her office. Janet Hayes, the administrative assistant in enrollment services, wanted to expand. She knew she could get donations but could not run the food bank. She contacted Natalie Bates, director of residence life at the time, and Jason Ramos, assistant director for residence life, to discuss options to help provide food for residential students. The result was the Birdfeeder.
2015
After the Pope Student Center was renovated, the Birdfeeder was re-located to the Student Center in October 2016 and made available to any currently enrolled Dalton State Student. During the 2016-17 academic year, the Birdfeeder moved under the direction of Student Life, and processes and procedures were updated with the goal of making the pantry more efficient, sustainable, and student-led.
As one of the first food pantries for students in the University System of Georgia, the Birdfeeder received the Chancellor's Gold Award as an innovative, effective solution and strategy for improving student success.
2018
In March 2018, the Dalton State Foundation agreed to sponsor the Birdfeeder. This allowed the pantry to become a non-profit organization recognized by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Weeks later, the Birdfeeder was accepted as a Partner Agency with the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.
2019
A group of faculty and staff broke ground on a campus garden after a senior Social Work major, Aaliyah Montague-Bass, expressed the need for fresh produce to be offered in the food pantry. For the inaugural planting season there are five rows of produce including tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapenos and squash. The plan is for the garden to support the Birdfeeder. When students are in session, fresh produce will be taken to the pantry for distribution. When there is an abundance of produce or students are out of session it will be sold on campus. All profits will go back into the Birdfeeder fund to continue supporting its Operations.
5 easy steps.
The Birdfeeder is a "client choice" food pantry that allows students seeking food assistance to choose for themselves what products they receive. Students may shop the pantry one time per week (the week resets on Sunday at midnight).
- Visit the Birdfeeder during operating hours. We are located in the lower level of the Pope Student Center.
- Swipe your valid Student ID. You must have your ID for each visit.
- Select up to one item from each section - unless otherwise marked. We highly recommend you maximize your visit since you can only stop in once per week. Think ahead!
- Checkout with the staff member on duty. They will track items for inventory purposes.
- Enjoy your week before repeating the process!
The Birdfeeder does not receive any funds from Dalton State to operate. The pantry is completely donation based. With more and more students utilizing this campus resource, we must continue to seek support from our various donors. There are many ways that you can help give back and support the pantry. Click on one of the links below to learn how you can help us meet the basic needs of a Roadrunner.
Thank you to all donors. We could not do this without your support.
To make monetary donations, follow these three easy steps:
- Visit www.giving.daltonstate.edu
- Click: "GIVE NOW"
- Designate your gift to the "Birdfeeder"
Want to setup a recurring gift? Setup automated payments monthly or quarterly.
The following physical goods are currently accepted in the food pantry:
- Non-perishable food items
- Personal hygiene products
- Frozen Meals
These items may be dropped off at any of the designated donation collection points:
- Birdfeeder Food Pantry located in the lower level of the Pope Student Center during the pantry's operating hours (varies by semester)
- Dean of Students Office located on the second floor of the Pope Student Center during college business hours
Donors may also schedule a local donation pick-up by emailing birdfeeder@daltonstate.edu or calling 706-272-4428.
Adopt-A-Month Program
Student, faculty or community groups and organizations can help give back to the Birdfeeder by hosting a drive (one-time or annually) dedicated to one category of items. If you decide to participate in this program contact us to get started. We'll help you coordinate, advertise and come up with a project plan. If your group would like to also participate in a group volunteer project related to this drive, we would be happy to help arrange that as well. Email us today at birdfeeder@daltonstate.edu.
We believe ALL members of Roadrunner Nation (students, faculty and staff) have a role and responsibility in giving back to their community. If you are interested in volunteering for the Birdfeeder, we recommend logging into your RoadrunnerServe portal and looking for our agency needs.
The Birdfeeder accepts volunteers on an as needed basis. Volunteer opportunities may include: garden work days, inventory, stocking, campus events, donor relations, fundraising or other special projects.
Birdfeeder Volunteers:
- Earn verified service hour for their volunteer resume
- Complete hours for course credit, if pre-approved by faculty
- Complete hours for service-oriented Fraternities/Sororities/Clubs
- Complete internships, if pre-approved by faculty
- Participate in a community of students who want to better the lives of their peers
- Eligible for letters of recommendation and references through Student Life
*Note: Those who'd like to serve at the Food Pantry must complete volunteer training before beginning their service. Once you have responded to one of our agency needs in RoadrunnerServe, one of our staff members will notify you of the next upcoming volunteer training.
SUMMER HOURS 2019
Monday
10 - 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday
1 - 2 p.m.
Wednesday
10 - 11:30 a.m.
Thursday
1 - 2 p.m.
Friday
Closed
NOTE: If you need the Birdfeeder outside of operating hours, please email birdfeeder@daltonstate.edu or stop by the Dean of Students Office located in the upper level of the Pope Student Center.
Are you tired of eating the same meals over and over again? Try out some of the recipes linked below:
If you are looking for delicious, healthy, and affordable meals, check out some of the online resources linked below:
- The Capital Area Food Bank in Lorton, VA has a free Healthy Recipe Database for delicious, healthy, and affordable meals. These recipes were designed using common Food Bank ingredients. There recipes are available in both English and Spanish.
- The “ Good and Cheap” or “Bueno y Barato” recipe book created by Leanne Brown helps readers eat on $4 a day. You can view the book in either English or Spanish. You can learn more on Leanne Brown’s website, here.
- Feeding America also has a database of easy healthy recipes you can check out!
Share one of your favorite recipes by completing the contact form below.
The Birdfeeder is operated by a team of student staff under the direction of Student Life. Staff are trained to manage the day to day operations of the pantry.
We are here to serve you!
If we can better serve you, please contact our staff in one of the following ways:
- Stop by the Birdfeeder located in the lower level of the Pope Student Center
- Complete the online form below. Required fields are indicated with a * symbol.
- Call the Dean of Students Office at 706-272-4428.
- Email birdfeeder@daltonstate.edu
Someone from our staff will respond to you within 24-48 business hours. Birdfeeder hours are posted below.
Please fill out the form below. Required fields are indicated with a * symbol. Thank you.
Contact Us
Summer Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 10 -11:30 a.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays 1 - 2 p.m.
Location: Pope Student Center, Lower Level
Phone: 706-272-4428
Email: birdfeeder@daltonstate.edu