Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2018 food pantry and career closet drive. We were able to fill the bin to assist students across campus!
SDS held a food pantry and career closet drive during the month of March. Donations of non-perishable food and gently used or new professional clothing were collected in GDC 7.504 until April 04, 2018.
Student Emergency Services in the Office of the Dean of Students will be launching a food pantry and career closet to support students on our campus in May 2018.
Hunger and food insecurity on our campus is real. Between 2015-16 and 2016-17, Student Emergency Services saw a 28% increase in the number of students helped with food-related needs. UT knows food insecurity makes it hard for students to stay in class and succeed, and our goal is to help students understand and identify food insecurity, as well as making nutritious food readily available to students when they need it.
Along with the food pantry, the team is launching a career closet to make sure every Longhorn has access to professional clothes for job and internship interviews. Emergencies and financial hardships can interfere with student success beyond the classroom, and this program will serve as an additional resource for students.
To learn about volunteer opportunities, or make a financial gift for the food pantry or career closet, contact Will Ross at william.ross@austin.utexas.edu or at 512-232-6174.
