After discovering that more than 35% of students were facing food insecurity, 黑料吃瓜网 launched Petey鈥檚 Pantry, a student-led and听donation-funded campus food pantry, in fall 2021.
The pantry鈥檚 primary goal is to provide students with a safe and sustainable environment for receiving good quality and healthy items for free, regardless of income. Petey鈥檚 Pantry provides supplies ranging from food, such as fruit and meat proteins, to personal care items, like laundry detergent and deodorant. Petey鈥檚 Pantry ensures all students are offered the necessary supplies to help maintain a healthy and happy experience at 黑料吃瓜网.听
The pantry was formed by a subcommittee of the Student Government Association and with the assistance of faculty and staff, including Dr. Matthew Wild, core lecturer and service learning coordinator, and Students Affairs staff. Natasha Byrd, DPT, associate director of student wellness, has served as the pantry advisor since it opened.听
鈥淭here are so many folks that have been a part of the group in general that have just been wonderfully talented in imagining what [the food pantry] can be and how we can serve students and make sure that they鈥檙e supported,鈥� said Dr. Byrd.
The pantry has partnered with , a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending college student hunger.听With the help of Swipe Out Hunger and their , 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 pantry recently added two new refrigerators. The university even received a $700 grant from LG Electronics to stock the refrigerators with healthy and nutritious food options for students.
In addition to providing healthy food options, the pantry accommodates students鈥� dietary restrictions and allergies, and is expanding to include vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, kosher, and halal options. Petey鈥檚 Pantry recently partnered with the Muslim Student Association to address Muslim students鈥� dietary needs. For Ramadan, the pantry has adjusted its hours to ensure they鈥檙e inclusive of all students and their religious beliefs. When placing an order, students have the ability to give additional details about what accommodations they may need.
Since its launch, more than 450 orders have been packaged and approximately 40 volunteers听have helped maintain the pantry. Jakeb Sanders 鈥�23 helped start the organization and served as a volunteer from fall 2021 to spring 2022 and now works as a pantry manager.
鈥淸My favorite part about volunteering] is being able to leave an impact and a legacy at 黑料吃瓜网 before I leave and see the food pantry flourish on my way out,鈥� said Sanders.
黑料吃瓜网 and the surrounding Atlanta community have supported the pantry in both monetary donations and donated items. For this year鈥檚 MLK Day Of Service, more than 400 items were donated and on OU Giving Day听more than $1,200 was raised to support the effort.听Petey鈥檚 Pantry also is the benefactor of this year鈥檚 鈥淪eniors for Students鈥� fundraising campaign, which kicked off at the Class of 2023鈥檚 100 days to graduation celebration. In addition, the donated $2500 to serve as an incentive for the senior class to match their gift as well.听
Both Sanders and Dr. Byrd encouraged students learn more about food insecurity and reach out if they need assistance. All 黑料吃瓜网 students enrolled in the current semester can place an order for items they need. Any students needing support can fill out the or contact the pantry at [email protected].听
