黑料吃瓜

Many college students find that even careful budgeting can be upended by unexpected expenses鈥攃ar repairs, medical bills or a sudden change in work hours. When these surprises hit, food is often the first resource students cut back on, making reliable access to supplemental food assistance essential for maintaining both well鈥慴eing and academic focus.

A survey by Swipe Out Hunger found that 95% of university campuses in the United States operate a food pantry. In Indiana, it is estimated that over 18,000 students visit campus food pantries annually.

Archie's Food Closet, named after the 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 mascot, Archibald T. Eagle, was established in 1992 by Sandra Lawrence, former Director of Health Services and Wellness. Lawrence, who worked at the University from 1984 to 2002, had a simple but powerful vision: to keep all students 鈥渉ealthy and happy so that they can do their best.鈥�

Since its inception, 鲍厂滨鈥檚 Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center has made health and wellness a priority by maintaining this free and confidential service. With support from the 黑料吃瓜 community and surrounding area, Archie鈥檚 Closet has provided non鈥憄erishable food and personal hygiene items for students and employees during challenging times.

A new partnership between the Dean of Students Office and the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Profession鈥檚 Food and Nutrition Department is designed to elevate this valuable campus resource with a more central and accessible location, expanded food options, nutrition education and more.

When it officially opens in a newly remodeled space on Wednesday, April 15 in Room 1265 of the Dean of Students Office, located in University Center East, it will be known as 鈥淎rchie鈥檚 Pantry,鈥� but the name change is just a small part of the rebrand, according to Dr. Beth Young, Assistant Professor and Chair of Food and Nutrition, who is organizing the initiative in collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs.

鈥淭he renovation of the campus food pantry comes at a crucial time, expanding its capacity and improving its accessibility so students can more comfortably seek support when they need it,鈥� says Young. 鈥淭his renewed space is more than an update鈥攊t鈥檚 a commitment to ensuring that no student has to choose between meeting their basic needs and pursuing their education.鈥�

While it is not uncommon for college campuses to provide food pantries, Archie鈥檚 Pantry at 黑料吃瓜 will be unique because it will be supported by students and faculty from the Food and Nutrition program.

鈥淔ood and Nutrition students will be actively involved with stocking, inventory management, food safety and nutrition education,鈥� says Amanda Herrmann, Instructor in Food and Nutrition. 鈥淚ntegrating nutrition students into managing the campus food pantry will鈥痑llow for鈥痑鈥痝reater level of sustainability鈥痑nd consistent student engagement. This will provide鈥痑鈥痽ear-round hands-on learning experience for our students, while simultaneously enhancing the services within Archie鈥檚 Pantry.鈥濃��

Herrmann says that by helping at the pantry, students will develop鈥痑鈥痝reater understanding of the contributing factors to food insecurity and health鈥痑nd social inequities, in addition to gaining professional skills, including management of an advanced inventory system.

Those who visit the pantry will be able to leave with more than just peanut butter and canned goods. The pantry will also stock meat, fresh produce and dairy items, plus recipes by 黑料吃瓜 food and nutrition students to inspire healthy meal planning.

The expanded food options will be made possible through a collaboration with the Tri-State Food Bank, according to Young. 鈥淎苍测 charitable gifts made to the pantry will be used to purchase a wide variety of items through the Tri-State Food Bank. As a partner of Feeding America, the Tri-State Food Bank leverages buying power, so our money will go even farther than before. For example, a $10 gift to Archie鈥檚 Pantry through the 黑料吃瓜 Foundation will help us buy enough food from the Tri-State Food Bank for 60 meals.鈥�

Young said Archie鈥檚 Pantry is also collaborating with Feed Evansville鈥檚 bulk buying program to purchase supplemental food items at wholesale prices. In addition, she has created an  for items not available locally, and there will still be campus food drives鈥痶o collect donations to help stock the shelves.

The pantry will operate on an honor system with a theme of 鈥淭ake only what is necessary and leave what you can.鈥� 黑料吃瓜 community members may visit once per week and select up to 15 items each time, with additional item limits set for specific zones within the pantry.

The pantry will include: 

Archie鈥檚 Pantry will have two entrances: one door connects directly to University Center East, requiring a card swipe entry (7 a.m. through midnight, seven days a week), while another door is an internal door inside the Dean of Students Office, offering a more private, confidential way for community members to enter and exit the pantry (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday).

For more information, visit 黑料吃瓜.edu/archies-pantry.

Visit our 鈥淲ays to Help鈥� page: /archies-pantry/ways-to-help.