Pop-Up Food Pantry helps all students to have a plentiful holiday
The UIC Wellness Center and Undergraduate Student Government want to make sure no UIC student goes hungry this Thanksgiving.
They’ve partnered to launch a Pop-Up Food Pantry to serve the homeless and low-income community at UIC by offering free canned goods and nonperishable items. Students can visit the pantry from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday in 604A Student Center East.
“Everybody needs help at some point in their life,” said Carol Petersen, associate director of the Wellness Center. “We don’t want anyone to feel ashamed by coming. The pantry is for every UIC student who has a food need. We don’t want people to exclude themselves.”
The Wellness Center, USG and UIC Greek Programming Board will hold a food drive from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Thursday in the Commuter Student Resource Center, 245 Student Center East.
Collection bins will also be set up in the Dean of Students Office, 3030 Student Services Building; Undergraduate Student Success Center, 111 Stevenson Hall; and the African American Academic Network, 2800 Student Services Building.
Donated items should be
- in cans, cartons or bags (no glass containers)
- nonperishable
- unopened and in the original container with the original product label
- within two weeks of “Best If Used By” date
- free of damage, stains and moisture.
“UIC students are really eager to help, so here’s an opportunity to reach out to their fellow students,” Petersen said. “When students are being helped and they feel cared for, it sends out a ripple wave of positive feelings throughout campus.”
Students who donate to the food drive will be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift card to the UIC Bookstore. Those who contribute five to 15 items will receive a free water bottle or coffee tumbler. Students who donate 16 items or more get a free USG hoodie.
“We’re hoping this project could grow to become a permanent resource at UIC,” said Brandon Gaskew, vice president of the Undergraduate Student Government and senior in political science. “If you won’t help out your own community, then who will?”
