Who is Julia Mertes?
Julia Mertes is a junior double majoring in English and journalism in the Schreyer Honors College. She currently serves as the communications coordinator intern of The Lion’s Pantry for the 2022-2023 academic year.
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The Lion’s Pantry Involvement:
- Communications Coordinator Intern, 2022-2023
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Other Involvement and Extracurriculars:
- Fundraising Overall of Relay For Life at Penn State
- Center For American Literary Studies Undergraduate Intern
- Digital English Studios Social Media Intern
- Former Features and Investigative Reporter for The Daily Collegian
- National Society of Leadership and Success member
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Why did you decide to join The Lion’s Pantry team?
I joined The Lion’s Pantry team because I wanted to work with a passionate group to help combat food insecurity on Penn State’s University Park campus. After learning more about the Pantry, I knew I wanted to use my skills to help spread awareness about the Pantry’s mission and their general work within the community.
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What is your role with The Lion’s Pantry? What are you looking forward to bringing or implementing to The Lion’s Pantry in the upcoming academic year?
As the communication coordinator, I look forward to forming more connections within the Penn State community and with student and alumni groups who can help spread awareness and support for The Lion’s Pantry. I hope to use my position to spread pertinent information about The Lion’s Pantry to those who currently need the resources or will need the support in the future.
Through The Lion’s Pantry social media presence, I hope to showcase the important work being done by Lion’s Pantry volunteers and highlight the impact being made through the generous efforts of Penn Staters to feed their fellow lions. Working together, the Penn State community can help combat food insecurity, and I am excited to use new initiatives to get the Pantry’s mission out to further groups.
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What is your favorite part about working with The Lion’s Pantry?
My favorite part about working with The Lion’s Pantry is knowing that my work will directly help support Penn State students. I also enjoy working with a group of like-minded individuals who all want to help students facing food insecurity.
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What are you most looking forward to for the upcoming academic year with regard to your role with the Pantry?
I look forward to seeing the new initiatives and projects being prepared for the 2022-2023 academic year.
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If you could talk to an incoming student interested in joining The Lion’s Pantry, what would you like them to know about this organization?
If you want to get involved at Penn State and do something that will leave a lasting impact on the student community, get involved with the Pantry. Although I’ve only recently begun my journey with the Pantry, I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and am ecstatic to have the opportunity to help those in need of nutritious food and household items.
