This week Brigham Young University turned down Federal funding aimed at helping universities deal with additional costs due to COVID-19 testing and safety protocols. This move is not surprising for BYU as the university had previously turned down funding last year. BYU representatives expressed their gratitude for the offer, but instead decided to make use of the food storage held in the WILK basement to get through lean times.

“We’re glad we finally have an opportunity to see if those freeze-dried meals are any good.” says BYU Financial Chair Eliza Williams. “There’s also some canned peaches I’ve been eyeing for a few years now.” BYU has followed the advice of LDS leaders to hold a two week supply of food in reserve in the event of emergencies.

As this supply has gone unused for many years, a stockpile of canned foods and preserved meals has accumulated in the basement of the Wilkinson Student Center. According to some sources there are over 100,000 cans of food available in the case of an emergency.

“The cans are really piling up down there. I even snatch a can of pears every now and again when I’m feeling peckish, but that hasn’t put a dent in it.” says BYU President Kevin J. Worthen. With some of the food set to expire in the next two years, a program is being put together to distribute the expiring food to students before it goes bad.