EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University's 104 Pierce Hall, which houses the student food pantry, was renamed the John and Angie Sabo Swoop's Food Pantry in a special ceremony on Monday, April 9. 

John and Angie Sabo are the parents of alumna Annette Johnson '94, who is a longtime supporter of the University and sits on the EMU Foundation Board of Trustees. Annette and her husband, David Johnson, created the John and Angie Sabo Memorial Endowment to Support Student Hunger Relief. The endowment will partially fund operations of the pantry in perpetuity. 

Speakers at the ceremony noted that John and Angie Sabo's boundless generosity is reflected in the Pantry's mission to provide the campus community with food assistance and additional resources, thereby improving student success and completion.

 "John and Angie were known for their love of family, faith and food," said Vicki Reaume, Vice President and Secretary to EMU's Board of Regents. "The children of immigrants from Hungary and Italy, John and Angie worked hard to provide for their family and were known for sharing what they had with others in need.

"Their door was always open, and they loved sharing a meal with neighbors and friends. Their daughter, Annette, has inherited their generous spirit and we couldn’t be more grateful for her dedication to EMU and to Swoop’s Food Pantry."

Other speakers at Monday's ceremony included Lynn Nybell, Director for the School of Social Work; three students who spend time stocking shelves and greeting shoppers in the pantry—Jarron Blake, John Wilkerson and Joelle Summers—and EMU President James Smith.

Swoop's Student Food Pantry opened in September, 2015 behind the efforts of Haley Moraniec, a social work student from Redford, Mich. Since then, the pantry has distributed nearly 85,000 lbs. of food and has had more than 5,000 visits.

The pantry is staffed by volunteer students from Eastern's College of Health and Human Services. It is located in 104 Pierce Hall and its hours are Monday-Friday, 12-5 p.m. On Saturday, bags are available for pick up from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at 317 Marshall. 

For more information, visit the pantry website.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 20,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University website.