Una's Food Pantry A Student-led Initiative That Continues To Serve

Feb. 25, 2020

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at meubanks@una.edu, 256-606-2033 or 256-765-4392 FLORENCE, AL - Meeting students' basic needs is part of the ongoing work taking place on the University of North Alabama campus. From student counseling services to health and wellness options to food insecurities, it is the role of those in the Division of Student Affairs to be an active part of the students' lives. Bethany Green, an assistant director in the Office of Student Engagement, helps organize the food pantry efforts. She and a team of others have also been instrumental working with various universities in Alabama as part of the statewide coalition to address hunger on campus. Dr. Kimberly Greenway, the Vice President for Student Affairs, has a long history at UNA and participating in initiatives that are geared toward ensuring all students' needs are met and managed on campus. "Having served the University of North Alabama in student affairs for more than 25 years, I can attest that we have always done our best to serve students well," she said. "As the unique needs of students have changed, the University has established systems to address those needs so students can achieve personal and academic success. I am proud to be part of an administration and community of people that strives to serve its constituents well and recognizes students are at the center of our work." At UNA, the food pantry was established in 2012 as part of a student-led initiative. Green has been an active part of it since its inception and has seen the project grow to a fully sustainable effort supported by faculty, staff, administrators, students, and alumni. Further, Chartwells, the University's contracted food vendor, also provides support through provisional meals. "Feeding the Pride's main goal is to ensure that all UNA students' basic needs are taken care of, whether those needs are for food, personal hygiene items, or toiletries," she said. "One of the other things we offer are meal plan scholarships for those who might need additional support." Pantries are housed in two locations on campus. One is in the Office of Student Engagement in the Guillot University Center, and the other is on the ground floor in Rice Hall. Grab-and-go items are also stocked in Collier Library. Recently, UNA's Housing and Residence Life created the mobile food pantry that moves between different residence halls each week. "Students who need access simply show up with their Mane Card at any one of the locations during regular business hours," Green said. "There are no questions asked." As the residence halls are open year-round, students can arrange to have food available during holiday breaks, too. Housing and Residence Life staff are available during the breaks to assist students should an unexpected need arise. Donations are also accepted to help keep the pantry stocked. For those who want to help or for those who might need help, details can be found at una.edu/foodpantry. About The University of North Alabama The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Sciences, and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of the NCAA Division I's ASUN Big South Conference. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: www.una.edu and www.una.edu/unaworks/