UofL students open food pantry on campus to assist colleagues in need

WEBVTT UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE NATION, INCLUDING RIGHT HERE IN LOUISVILLE. JENNIFER: THE TERM IS USED WHEN STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE CONSISTENT ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS OR DAILY MEALS. RICK; AS WLKY’S ANN BOWDAN REPORTS, SOME STUDENTS AT U OF L ARE TRYING TO CHANGE THAT DILEMMA ON CAMPUS. ANN: HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE, STUDENTS WILL TELL YOU THIS IS NOT JUST A PLACE OF LEARNING, IT’S A COMMUNITY. AND THOSE SAME STUDENTS ARE MAKING SURE NOT ONE PERSON HERE IS LEARNING ON AN EMPTY STOMACH. >> SO AS A STUDENT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE MY FELLOW STUDENTS ARE TAKEN CARE OF SO THAT THE ONLY THING THAT THEY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IS THEIR STUDIES AND NOT WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL IS GOING TO COME FROM. ANN: THES STUDENTS ARE WORKING TO ELIMINATE A STATISTIC THAT AFFECTS DOZENS OF CAMPUSES, INCLUDING U OF L. >> THE MORE RESEARCH WE DID, WE FOUND THAT 1 IN 6 STUDENTS ON CAMPUS ARE ACTUALLY FOOD INSECURE, SO IT’S A HUGE ISSUE THAT NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT. ANN: OF U OF L’S 23,000 STUDENTS, IT’S ESTIMATED MORE THAN 3800 ARE FOOD INSECURE, OR DON’T HAVE STEADY ACCESS TO A HEALTHY MEAL. >> BE IT WHETHER THEY MIGHT NO HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS OR JUST THEY’RE RUNNING LOW ON FUNDS FOR A SHORT TIME. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD HELP. ANN: KATHY MEYER IS TALKING ABOUT THE NEW CARDINAL CUPBOARD FOOD PANTRY. IT’S AN INITIATIVE STARTED BY STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND THE STUDENT LED ENGAGE LEAD SERVE BOARD. >> IT’S EXTREMELY GRATIFYING. WE WORKED ON IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND BEING ABLE TO COME INTO A SPACE, THE PHYSICAL SPACE ITSELF AND SEE THE FOOD AND THE RETURNS THAT WE’VE BEEN DOING. ANN: THANKS TO DONATIONS FROM LOCAL GROCERS, AND ORGANIZATIONS, THE CARDINAL CUPBOARD FOOD PANTRY HAS CRATES FULL OF NON-PERISHABLE, HEALTHY FOOD ITEMS AND NECESSITIES LIKE TOILETRIES. IT OPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME THURSDAY MORNING. >> A BIG PART OF A FOOD PANTRY AND ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY IS DISCRETION AND KEEPING THE DIGNITY OF THE PEOPLE WHO COME, BUT IN THAT YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO REACH AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN. ANN: THE NEW PANTRY IS ALSO ASSISTED BY THE SCHOOL’S FOOD RECOVERY NETWORK CHAPTER THAT COLLECTS UNUSED, SURPLUS FOOD ITEMS FROM RESTAURANTS. STUDENTS HOPE MORE DONORS WILL BECOME INVOLVED. >> IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE DOING THIS AT U OF L, FOLLOWING THE TREND AND PICKING IT UP FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO WE KNOW AND LOVE SO MUC

Food insecurity impacts universities across the nation, including the one right here in Louisville. The term is used when students don't have consistent access to healthy food options or daily meals.Students are working to eliminate a statistic that affects dozens of campuses. Including the University of Louisville."As a student, I want to make sure my fellow students are taken care of so that the only thing that they have to worry about is their studies and not where their next meal is going to come from," Kathy Meyer said.According to research Meyer and her colleagues conducted, one in six students attending UofL are food-insecure or don't have access to healthy meals.However, an initiative started by the student government and the student-led Engage Lead Serve Board seeks to put an end to food insecurity on campus. Thanks to donations from local grocers, and organizations the Cardinal Cupboard Food Pantry is now open with crates full of non-perishable, healthy food items and necessities like toiletries. Students in need can come by and pick up what they need."A big part of a food pantry and addressing food insecurity is discretion and keeping the dignity of the people who come, but in that you want to be able to reach as many people as you possibly can," Meyer said.The university has a free store by its sustainability council, but it's for clothing and household items. Organizers of the food pantry hope more donors will come forward to continue to build the program. Food pantry hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Food insecurity impacts universities across the nation, including the one right here in Louisville. The term is used when students don't have consistent access to healthy food options or daily meals.

Students are working to eliminate a statistic that affects dozens of campuses. Including the University of Louisville.

"As a student, I want to make sure my fellow students are taken care of so that the only thing that they have to worry about is their studies and not where their next meal is going to come from," Kathy Meyer said.

According to research Meyer and her colleagues conducted, one in six students attending UofL are food-insecure or don't have access to healthy meals.

However, an initiative started by the student government and the student-led Engage Lead Serve Board seeks to put an end to food insecurity on campus.

Thanks to donations from local grocers, and organizations the Cardinal Cupboard Food Pantry is now open with crates full of non-perishable, healthy food items and necessities like toiletries. Students in need can come by and pick up what they need.

"A big part of a food pantry and addressing food insecurity is discretion and keeping the dignity of the people who come, but in that you want to be able to reach as many people as you possibly can," Meyer said.

The university has a free store by its sustainability council, but it's for clothing and household items. Organizers of the food pantry hope more donors will come forward to continue to build the program.

Food pantry hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

UofL students open food pantry on campus to assist colleagues in need

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