During the summer of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic decreased students' employment options and food security, resulting in the Husker Pantry distributing close to 6,000 items each month to University of Nebraska–Lincoln students to meet basic needs for meals and household items.
The on-campus resource is a one-stop location to assist Husker students with food, toiletries and personal hygiene items and cleaning products. The pantry relies on donations to keep its shelves stocked and weekly pick-up bags filled so students don't suffer from hunger. 100% of donations benefit UNL students.
As the pandemic continues affecting day-to-day life worldwide and only about 10% of people residing in the U.S. have received the vaccine, the upcoming summer is likely to be another high-demand period for the Husker Pantry.
To meet this expected need, the entire community and alumni are asked to participate in the Husker Pantry Spring Food Drive, March 22-31, 2021.
Pantry organizers hope to collect 2021 items during the ten-day period to build up reserve inventory, so Huskers have uninterrupted service throughout the entire summer. The pantry has a full list of requested products, with a special need for personal hygiene items, particularly shampoo, hair conditioner, body wash, and bar soap.
"At the current moment, we're averaging 180 orders every week at the pantry. Although orders decrease slightly during the summer months, food insecurity and the need to help students remains steady," says Megan Patel, program coordinator for Husker Pantry. "More than 30% of Husker students already have or will face food insecurity and hunger at some point this year."
There are two ways for community members to get items to the pantry:
Purchase online via the pantry’s Amazon Marketplace wishlist. Items are shipped and delivered directly to the pantry's location in the University Health Center.
Drop off locally-purchased items at one of 18 collection bins located on City and East Campuses. Find a location here.
For additional food drive details, email pantry@unl.edu.