Did you know that 1 in 3 college students experiences food insecurity?
At UMass, we believe that everyone should have access to food, which is why the campus joined forces with the Amherst Survival Center to open an on-campus food pantry for members of the UMass community earlier this fall.
The Food Pantry resembles a small grocery mart and is located in the lower level of the Old Newman Center (472 North Pleasant St.). There, participants can shop for ~10 days worth of food each month for their household. The Pantry is stocked with a variety of free groceries–including fresh produce, shelf-stable snacks, eggs, dairy, and more.
Within the first three weeks, the pantry had already served over 1,000 individuals–many of whom were graduate/Ph.D. students, international students, and university employees.
A large portion of the Pantry’s inventory is sustained through partnerships with local food producers and organizations, such as Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, UMass Amherst Student Farm, and Food Connects.
Shopping at The Food Pantry
Although all the groceries are free, participants have a limited amount of groceries they can take each week. Each item costs a specific amount of “points,” and at the beginning of each month, participants are allotted a certain amount of points to redeem for groceries of their choosing. These points are determined by participants’ household size (themselves, partners, dependents, etc.).
To participate, you must register an account online or during open-hours. Then, to shop, you can schedule an appointment online or simply walk-in during open-hours. Participants can shop at the pantry once per week, but must show their UMass ID (or other UMass affiliated material) and bring a reusable shopping bag.
Food Pantry Hours of Operation:
Tuesday: 1pm – 7pm
Thursday: 1pm – 7pm
Friday: 12pm – 4pm
Saturday: 10am – 4pm
CLOSED: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday
For more information, visit: https://amherstsurvival.org/campus-pantry/
Getting Involved
Interested in volunteering? The Pantry is looking for volunteers who are able to make a commitment of one 2-3 hour shift each week for a minimum of 2-4 months.
Interested in donating food? Come by with non-perishable items during open hours or by special arrangement. Their high-demand items are: Microwaveable Meals (frozen or shelf-stable), Ramen, Mac & Cheese Cups, Peanut Butter, Rice, Oatmeal, Cereal, Snacks and Non-Perishable Proteins
For more information about volunteering and donating, visit: https://amherstsurvival.org/campus-pantry/get-involved/