This year, Eastern Michigan University’s Swoop’s Pantry commemorated its 10-year anniversary with a celebratory campus event on Sept. 4, 2025.
The event began at 3 p.m. and took place under a tent raised over the lawn outside Swoop’s Pantry, which is located in the John and Angie Sabo Room 100 in Pierce Hall. EMU students, faculty and community members celebrated together with food and speeches from EMU President James Smith, pantry founding alum Haley Moraniec and both of the pantry's graduate assistants.
Attendees gather outside the outdoor tent that was pitched to celebrate the pantry's 10-year anniversary.
The event concluded with student-led tours of Swoop’s. Inside the pantry, EMU community members have access to a myriad of shelf-stable and perishable groceries, including produce grown from the Swoop’s Pantry garden. Personal care products, household items, pet food, toys and baby products are also stocked based on availability.
A free clothing section with gently used items is also available at the pantry. Visitors are welcome to take any items they need and are encouraged to donate clothes they no longer want in return.
Sisi Dawson, a senior at EMU in the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program, is in her second year working as a team member at Swoop’s Pantry.
“We have a full clothing section. This stuff is take as much as you need,” Dawson said. “We have everything the Career Closet doesn’t.”
The free thrift clothing area at Swoop's Pantry houses the gently used clothing items available for shoppers.
Swoop’s Pantry is staffed by Eastern Michigan students who work as team members, team leads, coordinators, interns and graduate assistants.
Julie Harkema, faculty advisor and recording secretary of Swoop’s Pantry, emphasized the importance of the organization’s student leaders.
“They really come up with all the ideas here,” said Harkema. “This really is a student-led pantry.”
The Swoop's Pantry lounge serves as a place for students and pantry team members to gather or take a break. This space was the pantry's original location before the EMU GameAbove provided a donation that allowed the pantry to expand.
There are many ways to participate at Swoop’s. Those interested are encouraged to donate to the pantry by leaving items in the donation box on the first floor of Pierce Hall. Students eligible for work study can consider applying to work at the pantry. Additionally, Swoop’s is always looking for volunteers.
“I hope that students are willing to come and experience some of that magic themselves, or be willing to participate if they are able to,” Dawson said. “Just experience it for a day, and see if that’s something you want to be.”
EMU community members do not need to demonstrate financial need to visit Swoop’s Pantry. Students, faculty, staff members and recent alumni only need to provide their EID number to participate.
Before visiting the pantry for the first time, students should be registered for the current or upcoming academic term and complete an intake form.
Dawson wants the EMU community to know that Swoop’s Pantry is always there for them in times of need.
“Swoop’s Pantry to me means having a place of community where everyone’s equal,” Dawson said. “Somebody’s always willing to lend a helping hand for anything, no matter what it is.”
