Blog, Features
About Julian Mueller
Executive Board Position: Facilities Director
Past Lion’s Pantry Experience: Student Intern (2022-23)
Majors: Computer Science
Other 2023-2024 Involvement:
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Engineering House (E-House), Executive Board, Webmaster
A Q&A with Julian
1) What are you most excited about The Lion’s Pantry this year?
- I am most excited to collaborate with the entire team. We all have important ideas to share that will ultimately lead to more efficient systems and better organization, which will help provide more accurate reporting and planning data.
2) What initiatives, campaigns, or goals would you like to see during the 2023-24 academic year?
- Implement a better tracking system to collect the necessary data for maintaining the required inventory levels
- Consistent access to a wider variety of offerings, including produce, beverages, and toiletry items
- Maintain a supply of low-cost/no-cost recyclable bags for pantry clients that forget to bring
3) Why should new students join The Lion’s Pantry?
- You should join The Lion’s Pantry and get involved with a great group of caring people. It’s highly rewarding to give back and to know that the work you are doing is supporting the need right here in our own PSU community
4) What does food insecurity mean to you?
- Food insecurity means not having regular access to nutritious food. Hunger can lead to physical, emotional, and social issues that can have long-term effects. For college students, academics can also suffer. It’s important to support the entire PSU community and give everyone the same chance at academic success and well-being.
5) What excites you most about the position you hold for The Lion’s Pantry during the 2023-24 year?
- I would like to help close up any gaps in communication and coordination across all supporting members of the pantry. We are one team working toward the common goal of supporting our student community. The more efficient we are, the bigger the impact.
6) Please share one of your favorite memories from The Lion’s Pantry.
- On my first week as a pantry intern last Fall, I met some of The Lion’s Pantry donors as they were touring the facility. They were so nice to me. Their care and commitment to help are allowing the pantry to grow and provide for more students in need.
Some Fun Facts About Julian
Favorite Comfort Movie: Shrek
Favorite Way to Unwind After a Long Day: Sleep
“Go-To” Fun Fact: History Buff
Blog, Features
About Maddalyn DiMichele
Executive Board Position: Engagement Director
Past Lion’s Pantry Experience: General Member (2022-23)
Majors: Labor and Human Resources
Minors: SMEALBusiness Fundamentals Certificate
Other 2023-2024 Involvement:
- Student Human Resources Management
- Abba Java Volunteer
A Q&A with Maddalyn
1) What are you most excited about The Lion’s Pantry this year?
- I am really looking forward to making connections with every individual and trying out new opportunities and experiences with the team!
2) What initiatives, campaigns, or goals would you like to see during the 2023-24 academic year?
- I would love to see individuals enthusiastic about food insecurity and attempting to give back to the community. I want to see more involvement in the engagement fair and to keep retention levels high with new individuals!
3) Why should new students join The Lion’s Pantry?
- It’s an amazing opportunity to meet new people while dedicating your time and effort towards a great cause! It is something that new members will learn from and be able to create a passion towards positive change!
4) What does food insecurity mean to you?
- As a freshman at Penn State, you learn a lot about yourself and you are introduced to new challenges and struggles. Food insecurity is something that no student should have to encounter while at Penn State. Lion’s Pantry is a great cause and embraces everyone. I wanted food insecurity to be something people can talk about without being uncomfortable or embarrassed about.
5) What excites you most about the position you hold for The Lion’s Pantry during the 2023-24 year?
- I am most excited about working with everyone! I want to listen to the Executive Board ideas as well as general members. I know that this team is willing to put in time and effort towards changes that will be beneficial for everyone!
6) Please share one of your favorite memories from The Lion’s Pantry.
- I always loved the themed Kahoots 🙂
Some Fun Facts About Maddalyn
Favorite Comfort Movie: Surf’s Up
Favorite Way to Unwind After a Long Day: Talk to my friends and listen to music
“Go-To” Fun Fact: I LOVE coffee!
Blog, Features
About Jessica Ware
Executive Board Position: Food Drive Coordinator
Past Lion’s Pantry Experience: Sunday Workday Volunteer
Majors: Kinesiology
Other 2023-2024 Involvement:
- Women’s Health and Exercise Lab (Research Assistant; Writing Thesis with Advisor)
- Clinic Intern at University Health Services
- Penn State Women’s Club Ice Hockey
- Penn State Women’s Lacrosse
- Alpha Epsilon Delta Member (Health Honor Society)
A Q&A with Jessica
1) What are you most excited about The Lion’s Pantry this year?
- I am excited to make connection with the other execs while being able to impact an important community at Penn State.
2) What initiatives, campaigns, or goals would you like to see during the 2023-24 academic year?
- I would really like to see more volunteers and the knowledge about the Pantry spread throughout Penn State. I think it’s a really great club and if more people knew about it, it could be even more impactful than it already is.
3) Why should new students join The Lion’s Pantry?
- To be a part of something that is bigger than them and to impact the lives of others. It is also really rewarding experience.
4) What does food insecurity mean to you?
- Food insecurity means that there is uncertainty in someone’s life. I view it as an important cause because if we can eliminate that uncertainty, it frees up time for people to worry about other life problems and insecurities that need attending. Without this primary need of worry, it can make a difference in someone’s life and they can focus on more interpersonal needs instead of basic ones.
5) What excites you most about the position you hold for The Lion’s Pantry during the 2023-24 year?
- I am excited to interact on the exec side of the food drives. I have always participated in club sports but I’m looking forward to organizing it and communicating with others from all around.
6) Please share one of your favorite memories from The Lion’s Pantry.
- I haven’t been volunteering for long, but I enjoyed the Sunday workdays because I got to know everyone. We were all there to organize and help out but I enjoyed establishing relationships most.
Some Fun Facts About Jessica
Favorite Comfort Show: New Girl
Favorite Way to Unwind After a Long Day: Going for a run or going out with friends!
“Go-To” Fun Fact: I don’t like chocolate or that I have a bulldog.
Blog, Event
About Camille Corbani
Executive Board Position: Nutrition Coordinator
Past Lion’s Pantry Experience: General Member (Spring 2023)
Majors: Nutritional Sciences, Nutrition and Dietetics Option
Minors: Health Policy and Administration
Other 2023-2024 Involvement:
- Health and Human Development Honor Society member since Spring of 2022
- The Presidential Leadership Academy scholar since Spring of 2022
- THON™ Rules and Regulations Fundraising Safety Committee Member for THON 2023 and Spring Captain for THON 2024
A Q&A with Camille
1) What are you most excited about The Lion’s Pantry this year?
- I am excited about helping advance The Lion’s Pantry’s mission and connecting with volunteers that share the same goals.
2) What initiatives, campaigns, or goals would you like to see during the 2023-24 academic year?
- I would like to see more students get involved with the pantry and make it more accessible to all. I would also like to see more students utilize our resources and less stigma around asking for help.
3) Why should new students join The Lion’s Pantry?
- New students should join The Lion’s Pantry because it is a great way to give back to the community you are going to call home for four years. It will also help you make genuine connections with the student body.
4) What does food insecurity mean to you?
- Food insecurity has always been a cause that I have strongly cared about. I believe that everyone should have the right to access safe, clean, and healthy food, especially for college students. It is a major health concern that affects many members of our community whether for a short or long period of time. It is a danger to their well-being, but it also keeps them from reaching their full potential.
5) What excites you most about the position you hold for The Lion’s Pantry during the 2023-24 year?
- I am excited about my position this year because it is new, so it will be fun to see how it can help improve The Lion’s Pantry’s work. I am also excited about bridging the gap between the pantry and Nutrition department, to provide more support and resources on Nutrition related matters.
6) Please share one of your favorite memories from The Lion’s Pantry.
- My favorite memory from The Lion’s Pantry was our first in-person executive board meeting. It was a lot of fun to mingle and get to know everyone I am going to be working with throughout the academic year.
Some Fun Facts About Camille
Favorite Comfort Movie: Gilmore Girls
Favorite Way to Unwind After a Long Day: Listen to music
“Go-To” Fun Fact: I am trilingual.
