Students Invited to Stop by New Community Pantry
Need ingredients for a meal or detergent for laundry piling up? The new Community Pantry at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University has you covered. Students are welcome to come by and grab food and other essentials.
“We want to support students as best we can beyond academics,” says Jenny Lau, student engagement coordinator in the Office of Student Affairs at Cummings School. “If students are hungry or worrying about other basic needs, they may not focus enough on classes, or if they’re focused on classes, they may not focus on other needs. It’s a balancing act I remember struggling with and continues to be difficult for many students, especially graduate and post-graduate students.”
Students can help themselves to a variety of items at the Community Pantry. The pantry stocks healthy snacks, like granola bars, pretzels, and fruit cups; non-perishable foods, including pasta, rice, cereal, soup, canned vegetables, beans, oils, and cooking packets; household items, such as laundry pods; and toiletries, including toothpaste, shampoo, and body wash. The wellness vending machine offers tissues, condoms, and menstrual products. And everything is free.
“It’s drop-by friendly. There are no opening hours,” says Lau.
The pantry officially opened earlier this semester and has been expanding since, as Lau tracks inventory to determine the items that top students’ grocery lists. Household goods are moving especially fast, so she plans to add to those offerings.
Lau started a similar pantry at New York University while earning her Master of Social Work. She noticed students skipping meals due to financial reasons and time constraints. Similarly, Cummings School students can benefit from the convenience of a centrally located pantry to pick up a snack or needed item.
“We recognize that in addition to financial hardships unique to being a student, we want our students to do well—not just academically—and don’t want them to be burnt out when they do go into the field,” says Lau, who stresses the nutritional value of food in supporting students’ health and wellness.
Cummings School faculty and staff have been generous in their donations to the Community Pantry. Hills Pet Food provided the funding to start the pantry, and other corporations have also expressed interest. In addition to expanding the new Community Pantry, Lau hopes to add more pantries for clinical students on rotation in Cummings School’s hospitals and clinics.
A donation box is adjacent to the Community Pantry for those looking to contribute items. Lau also notes a “Free Table” for students looking for items like textbooks and clothing in the Franklin M. Loew Library.
Students have been finding their way to the Community Pantry throughout the semester. Lau saw the largest uptick in usage just before spring break. “Students essentially cleared out the pantry. Before that, it was a couple of boxes here and there. It is a testament to what our community needs and when they need it most.”