The Basic Needs Program at the University of Oregon announced that it will be establishing a food pantry on campus for students.
“Over the past year, the Basic Needs Program secured funding for an on-campus food pantry, hired a student food pantry coordinator, and engaged with campus stakeholders to begin envisioning the future campus pantry,” the BNP said in their announcement.
The BNP provides students at the UO opportunities to ease financial burdens regarding housing, technology access, textbooks, food and healthcare. The program also helps with connecting students to resources like the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Epicospal Campus Ministry Student Food Pantry in Eugene, Oregon.
The on-campus food pantry aims to create a thriving community that recognizes financial burdens on students, a goal prioritized by the university in its Oregon Rising framework, a strategic plan to increase student success that was adopted by the university in 2023.
“Our hope is the UO Student Food Pantry will be more than a place for students to shop for fresh, nutritious foods,” the announcement said. “It will be a space for gathering, conversation, and learning about basic needs services on and off campus. It will be a place where students can come to receive support and resources that empower them to thrive academically and personally.”
The pantry will be supported and run by student workers and volunteers.
“Similar to the ECM Student Food Pantry, we will operate with a combination of student workers and volunteers. It is important to us to continue to have students involved in all parts of running the pantry,” Naomi Friedman, the Student Food Pantry Coordinator, said in an email to the Daily Emerald.
The campus food pantry will be located in the Student Conflict Resolution Center at 1691 Columbia Alley. Due to renovations, the pantry does not have a set opening date, but the BNP is aiming to open it within the next year.
While the campus pantry is being designed, students are encouraged to connect with the ECM Student Food Pantry if they are in need of groceries.
