Campus Life | October 28th, 2024

FAMU Food Pantry Supports Students with Free Food and Essentials

By: Jaila Dowdell

For fifteen years, the FAMU Food Pantry at Florida A&M University has been a vital part of the campus, providing food and other necessities to students who require extra assistance. It began as a closet, but it has grown into an important aspect of the campus community. The pantry serves as a location where students may feel encouraged and like they belong, as well as being a place to get food.

“The food pantry started out very small. We eventually connected with Farm Share, Second Harvest, Publix, Aldi, Whole Foods and Panera Bread by receiving donations to feed students in need,” Everlena Baulkmon, Food Pantry Coordinator, said.

Many students may encounter even more challenges in 2024 when it comes to purchasing food due to the rising cost of essentials. With its ability to assist students in saving money, this may ease their anxiety about where their next meal will come from.

There’s much more than food in the pantry. In addition to canned products and fresh produce, it offers toiletries and utensils, things that students may need. Because of this, the pantry serves as a useful resource for students, providing for both food and non-food necessities.

One demonstration of the university’s dedication to providing for its students is the FAMU Food Pantry. Food, supplies and a feeling of community lets students concentrate on what really matters, learning and living well on campus. It also eliminates obstacles associated with asking for assistance, fostering an atmosphere that is more welcoming to everybody.

“I am one of the many Freshman students that did not receive on-campus housing, so I didn’t always have access to the food that the other students had. The food pantry really benefited me because I can’t do well in school without a meal to eat, and the food pantry gave me the food I needed to make those meals,” said Kourtney Redmond.

Students can follow the pantry on Instagram at @famufoodpantry to be informed about new offerings and opportunities for involvement.

“Our Instagram is a helpful resource because we often post what we have available at the time. We also ask that students post their meals and tag us so that we can encourage other students to come,” administrative assistant Harriett Jennings said.

The pantry is located in the Center for Access and Student Success building and is accessible to all students Tuesday through Friday and also on Sundays. Every student has access to the resources they need to succeed thanks to the FAMU Food Pantry, which remains an effective resource.