At the Grinnell Student Government Association’s (SGA) Winter Preparedness Event, students waited in a line stretching out the door. SGA members decked out in festive headbands handed out 200 blankets, 100 beanies, 100 fuzzy socks and 100 metal insulated cups, as well as cookies and hot cocoa.
SGA president Keanu Yamanaka `26 estimated that over 300 students attended the Dec. 3 event.
For Yamanaka, giving out winter essentials is just one way for SGA to work toward the goal of meeting students’ needs, a goal that Yamanaka said he hopes to carry into the next semester.
“Our event was to help bridge that equity gap at Grinnell College between the lack of access to winter gear and resources generally in Grinnell,” Yamanaka said. “This event is really the embodiment of what it looks like when we choose to show up for people, this ability to help make students’ needs met.”
“A lot of our main goals this semester with Keanu as president have been to make sure every Grinnell student has what they need,” said Matthew Kenzinger `27, SGA treasurer.
On Oct. 30, SGA hosted a blanket giveaway with less than a day’s notice. There were 125 blankets, all of which ran out in 20 minutes, according to Yamanaka.
“This event we have 200 blankets, and that’s almost double what we had during the last event,” Yamanaka said. “It’s a clear student need just to stay warm at night.”
“We’re trying to let students know that they are seen and they are supported, so they don’t feel alone, especially as we are heading into this extremely cold winter,” said Anu Sanumi `26, the speaker of the SGA senate. “Not everyone’s used to this weather.”
Maho Tanimoto `29 said the event helped her prepare for the cold.
“I’m an international student so I don’t have any winter stuff,” Tanimoto said. “This is very helpful for me.”
Another student need that SGA hopes to tackle is food access. Next semester, Yamanaka said he hopes to start a student initiative to renovate the food pantry in the Center for Religion, Spirituality and Social Justice (CRSSJ).
“It’s difficult to enter a place that’s so coated in stigma and negative connotations,” Yamanaka said. “The first time I went there, I had a panic attack. It was something about being in a space and seeing that you need something that other students don’t.”
Class senators on the dining committee have also been discussing how to improve the student experience at the dining hall.
“We’re trying to help students who have dietary restrictions and problems finding what they need in the dining hall to make their dining experience better,” Class Senator Amy Tai `28 said.
“We’re trying to work with dining services to ensure that students’ specific dietary needs are being met more extensively,” said Sanumi, who is also the dining services advisory committee liaison.
SGA members said that they look forward to continuing to receive student feedback. Next semester, senators plan to keep holding constituency meetings, where students can communicate their needs and concerns to their class senators.
Assistant Treasurer Sanaa Shah `28 said that she was excited by the turnout for the winter preparedness event.
“I do want to keep having events like this because I feel like this is such a great way for SGA to meet everyone and talk to everyone,” Shah said. “Thanks for coming, guys.”