Tuition, housing and textbooks can devastate a student’s budget. But the Social Work Association wants to make sure Salt Lake Community College students have food on their tables.
The Bruin Food Pantry at South City Campus helps SLCC students fill their stomachs by providing free access to essential goods. The pantry has re-opened for the spring semester, welcoming any student who needs assistance.
“Many of our students are making choices about buying textbooks or food,” says Social Work Association advisor Daniel Poole. “The pantry provides a little bit of support to help give our students the opportunity to focus more on their studies as they push forward on their path to achieving great success.”
Supplies are limited, but students are welcome to take home two bags of nonperishable food items each month. The pantry also tries to keep hygiene items like soaps, feminine products and baby supplies in stock.
All students need a current OneCard to gain access to the pantry.
Students help students
A team of volunteers like part-time student Kimberly Duran help keep the pantry doors open and the shelves stocked.
“I like working here because it gives me the chance to help other students like myself,” Duran says.
Many of the food pantry’s volunteers are from the Social Work Association.
Svwanta Shah, a full-time student from Nepal, says she gained a new perspective on the importance of a food pantry and enjoys being able to help other students.
How to get involved
In addition to a partnership with the Utah Food Bank, the Bruin Food Pantry also relies on donations from the college community. Student clubs or other groups on campus are welcome to organize food drives or recruit members to volunteer.
Anyone who wishes to donate can drop off their donations outside room 2-152 at South City Campus.
Contact Daniel Poole or Social Work Association club president Jenn Chapman for more information.
