The University continues to support students with the Food Pantry and Career Clothing Closet programs that address campus food insecurity and increase accessibility to professional attire. Located on the River Campus, both initiatives are supported by donations from students, alumni, University employees, local organizations, and others. Programs like these that run on donations are a win-win for people and the environment as they encourage the reuse of unwanted materials by offering the items a second life with those in need.
The Food Pantry addresses the rising issue of student food insecurity on campus by allowing Arts, Science & Engineering undergraduate and graduate students to fill a shopping basket to not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. This need-blind food pantry does not monitor nor require income information, giving access to all students.
Throughout the fall semester, the Food Pantry is open three days a week: Mondays and Thursdays from 4:00-8:00pm, and Fridays from 2:00-6:00pm. Once students enter the Food Pantry in Wilson Commons 105, a Pantry Assistant swipes them in. Students can then grab a shopping basket and fill it with a handful of food and hygiene items per visit.
Stemmed from the Winter and Summer Share pilot programs, the Food Pantry now operates year round. The pantry has been supported by donations from many individuals from University Health Services and the University Advancement Center. This year’s Move-Out Cleanout initiative donated 489.6 pounds of food and hygiene products
Breakfast items require frequent restocking in the Food Pantry. Feed the Hive: Breakfast Drive took place from Sunday, September 1st to Saturday, September 7th. During Welcome Back Week, collection bins were placed in Wilson Commons, Douglass Commons, and Genesee Hall. Donations also came from the Office of Advancement and University Health Services. Altogether 450 food items were collected.
(Pictured Above: the Food Pantry fully stocked after the Move-out Cleanout)
To learn more about how to host a food drive or donate to the Food Pantry, visit this website. The Food Pantry’s mission is “…to meet the necessary food and personal care needs of our Arts, Science & Engineering undergraduate and graduate students so that they can focus on their college experience.”
Students can also utilize the Greene Center’s Career Clothing Closet, located in Lattimore Hall 124 (pictured top). Generous donations from faculty, staff, alumni, and local employers provide students with access to professional dress for upcoming interviews, summer internships, the first days in a new job, conferences, etc. Undergraduates and graduate students may make an appointment via Handshake to browse the inventory that includes suiting, dress shirts, dress pants, skirts, dresses, ties, shoes, bags, and jewelry. Open Monday-Friday by appointment during the school year, the closet allows students to dress for success.
“We are thrilled to be able to share this resource with UR students,” Event Coordinator Christina Pero exclaims. Visit this website for more information about the Career Clothing Closet.
Students with various needs are encouraged to explore these programs as well the other resources listed here.
Written by Emily Su, Class of 2022