Leadership Center to provide Pop-Up Food Pantry | News ... - UTA The Shorthorn

In response to student food insecurity, the Leadership Center is developing a Pop-Up Food Pantry.

The pantry will offer free groceries to students in need. Organizers of the pantry hope to develop relationships with students to understand their needs and to help find a permanent solution to their food problems, said Veronica Guzman, Leadership Center associate director.

“There is no formal data of food insecurity on campus, but we know its there,” she said.

The Leadership Center is getting the funding for the pantry, one of seven projects this year, through the Next Generation Initiative.

The Next Generation Initiative was established by the Vice President for Student Affairs Office two years ago. It is an opportunity for organizations to present ideas to enhance the student experience.

During their presentation, Guzman said the pantry will partner with Mission Arlington and other non-profit organizations to understand how to establish the pantry.

“Whatever we need to do to help people, we will be there,” said Tillie Burgin , Mission Arlington executive director.

Timothy Quinnan, vice president for Student Affairs, said the pantry is great for the UTA community. He said it is important the school has resources for the basic needs of students.

“A student can’t focus in the classroom when they are hungry,” he said.

The project will be supported primarily through food donations, Quinnan said.

English freshman Addie Meier said the pantry is a wonderful idea.

“It will help struggling students here who don’t have readily available transportation,” she said.

Guzman said the project is still in the planning phase and is unsure when it will be open.

The pantry will not have a designated location. It will pop up in multiple locations throughout campus.

The goal is to have a full-service pantry in the next five years, Guzman said.

@SamanthaDouty

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