Spring is in bloom at the Falcon Food Pantry. Between now and exam week, students can stop by the pantry to pick up seeds, soil and instructions to plant their very own Marigold. 

The food pantry suggests keeping the Marigold near a sunny window, covering it with plastic until it sprouts and watering twice weekly when the soil feels dry. Then, students can return their Marigold to the food pantry in Central Hall 109 during exam week starting April 28. The flowers will then be planted in the community garden on campus located near the Fine Arts building. 

Elena Hemming, a Falcon Food Pantry worker, said they wanted the flowers planted during exam week so they will be in full bloom when students return from summer break.

“We want to be able to actually plant them in the garden at the end of the semester right before summer hits. That way they can grow, they can get that nice beautiful orange yellow color over the summer and then we’ll have them for students in September,” she said. 

Foster a Flower is one way that students can support the food pantry as well as the community garden. 

“We just thought it would be super fun because we love getting the community and especially the students in on things,” Hemming said. 

Students can also keep the Marigold they’ve taken care of instead of returning it to be planted. 

“If they want to bring it back they can, or if they fall in love with it, give it a name or something, we’d love for them to do that too,” Hemming said.

The Falcon Food Pantry is open Mondays 12-3 p.m., Wednesdays 2:30-5:30 p.m. and Thursdays 12-3 p.m. Students are free to pick up their Marigold kit any time the panty is open.