As Thanksgiving approaches, the UW student apartments are holding a food drive to stock their pantry throughout the month of November.
“It seems like food insecurity is kind of high amongst UW students,” senior Kayla Griffith said. “Starting the food pantry in the last couple years, I think the students and community are trying to increase access to free food for students and community members.”
The food pantry is located in the apartment Community Center.
The apartment food pantry was an initiative started this semester in an effort to assist students with food insecurity, according to apartment Residence Coordinator Anthony Zimmy.
While Griffith feels the apartment food pantry is less known than others on campus at this point, it is still a helpful resource.
The pantry includes non-perishable food items, feminine hygiene products, cleaning supplies and other household items.
Students at the apartments are encouraged to donate to the food pantry.
“I feel any time students have an opportunity to give, that always gives a sense of self-fulfillment,” Zimmy said.
The food pantry is open to any students or community members and is available for use whenever the community center is open.
“All the food we’re able to get goes right back into our food pantry which our students know is for them,” Zimmy said.
Griffith also said that the food pantry builds a sense of community at the apartments.
“The food pantry allows people to anonymously offer help and receive help with things,” Griffith said.
“Everyone is super friendly and there for everyone already, so any small acts of kindness or activities could bring the community closer together,” sophomore Alex Simmons said. “I believe that the food pantry, as well as other activities, help bring the community together even more.”
Along with the food drive, the apartments will also hold activities on Nov. 16 in the Community Center, which includes a raffle for those who donate to the food drive.
The event will also include Thanksgiving crafts and desserts for students to enjoy.