UA Campus Pantry Has a New Home
The Arizona Student Unions has donated space for the student-run, nonprofit Campus Pantry.

By Sara Rohde, Arizona Student Unions
March 16, 2016

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The UA Campus Pantry is committed to helping students and employees and also provides a nutrition program and internship opportunities for school credit.
The UA Campus Pantry is committed to helping students and employees and also provides a nutrition program and internship opportunities for school credit.


With its origins in El Portal before a move to Babcock Hall, the University of Arizona's Campus Pantry has now moved to a designated space in the Student Union Memorial Center, which is expected to create new possibilities for improving food security and garnering resources.

Arizona Student Unions executives surprised University of Arizona Campus Pantry co-founder Berkley Harris with a new home — a discreet room in the Student Union. 

The space also is offered rent-free with utilities paid to help University students who are dealing with food insecurity needs.

Last November, Chet Phillips, sustainability coordinator for the Associated Students of the University of Arizona, initiated introductions that would lead to the new space. Thanks to the efforts of Todd Millay, Arizona Student Unions' interim executive director, UA senior executive chef Michael Omo and Kim Celeya, the warehouse supervisor, a large storage room in the Union's lower level was cleared, freshly painted, shelved and stocked with donations in preparation for the surprise reveal to an unaware Harris.

"Arizona Student Unions is proud to partner with UA Campus Pantry to extend its reach, build more synergies and provide strong support to help address food insecurity on our campus," Millay said. "The entire division of Student Affairs is behind this effort and Berkley. We’re proud to simply be a part of this process and help a group who has worked selflessly for years to meet other needs. They are inspiring."

A ribbon-cutting event for the Campus Pantry's new location will be held March 21 at 1 p.m. Harris and Melissa Vito, the UA's senior vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, are slated to cut the ribbon. Attendees are asked to bring an imperishable item to donate.

"Food insecurity is a reality that more and more of our students experience," said Vito, also vice provost for Academic Initiatives and Student Success.

"Years ago, students initiated a campus pantry. It depended on the generosity of the community to provide food and was only open a few hours a week, with no cold food options," Vito said. "As I met with student leadership this year, I realized that this is a growing issue for our students and one that we needed to do more to address. I met with our Student Union leadership, who immediately and enthusiastically engaged to help create a more permanent, more fully stocked, centrally located place on campus. We are thrilled to take this huge step forward in addressing food insecurity on our campus through the UA Campus Pantry."

Campus Pantry, a nonprofit that was chartered in 2012, anticipates expanding services in its new location as funding is granted through the UA Green Fund, the Graduate and Professional Student Council and also donations from the campus community and local food retailers. Arizona Student Unions suppliers, the Whole Foods location on East River Road, Time Market and Iskashitaa local harvesters have pledged continuing support with fresh produce contributions and staples.

Harris said that while she has been working with the Arizona Student Unions for months and knew plans existed to support the pantry, she did not know the extent of that support.

"I didn't realize how dedicated they were to supporting our efforts. Needless to say, I was extremely surprised by the generosity of the new space and donations from the Union," said Harris, who is studying public health and also public management and policy.

"The UA Campus Pantry couldn't be more grateful for this new space and support. It means a lot to the future of our nonprofit, but more importantly it means a lot to the students and staff who rely on our services. I cannot wait to see how this new space helps the pantry grow and serve more of the Wildcat community."

Extra info

What

UA Campus Pantry Ribbon-Cutting

Where

Student Union Memorial Center, 1303 E. University Blvd.

When

March 21 at 1 p.m.

How the pantry works:

  • During distribution events, UA students and employees are asked to arrive at the information desk, located on Level 2 of the Student Union Memorial Center.
  • The next distribution events will be held on April 15, April 29 and May 6 from noon to 3 p.m.
  • Students and employees need only to show a CatCard. No fee is required.
  • Individuals will be escorted to the Campus Pantry to stock up on food staples and fresh produce, while supplies last.

Email the organization at uofacampuspantry@gmail.com. Also, the mailing address for check donations is: UA Campus Pantry, c/o Student Union Memorial Center, 1303 E. University Blvd. #20758, Tucson, Arizona 85719

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Sara Rohde

Arizona Student Unions

520-441-4425

sararohde@email.edu

Chet Phillips

Associated Students of the University of Arizona

cfp@email.arizona.edu