Building community: UIC Pop-Up Pantry

The UIC Pop-Up Pantry is a vital resource for students seeking support and navigating the challenges of both food insecurity and college life. With its mission to reduce food insecurity on campus, the pantry ensures that no student has to choose between necessities and focusing on their education. It also promotes a sense of community and care, regardless of financial situation. Read on to understand the pantry’s offering and how it makes a significant difference in campus life!

About the Pop-up Pantry
The pantry supports food-insecure students by providing access to nutritious foods and meals, ensuring they can focus on their studies without the distraction of hunger. More than just about feeding students, “…it also supports academic achievement. Your brain uses about 20% of the calories that you consume and a student’s brain is their greatest asset. We help students succeed academically, physically, and emotionally by providing a consistent and steady supply of nutritious food,” said Carol Peterson, Wellness Center Senior Director of Health, Education, and Wellness. The pantry was born from a 2014 conversation between Carol and a student who shared their struggles with hunger, sparking the realization that many students face similar challenges. This ultimately led to the pantry’s establishment.

The Pop-Up Pantry's name originated from its once-a-month operations, depending on the amount of donated food. Each month, the pantry "popped up" at a different campus location, offering what it could. Over time, the pantry evolved, moving to a permanent and spacious location in the Student Center East Tower, Montgomery Ward Gallery. In 2017, the pantry was audited by the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD), becoming one of the first in Illinois to achieve full membership, enabling it to distribute more food, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the pantry serves students twice a week, thanks to ongoing partnerships--like the GCFD and Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP)--and donations.

Services and Support
The Pop-Up Pantry is also a resource hub. “In addition to food, we help connect students with the GCFD if they need help signing up for SNAP or other assistance,” explained Christina Paredes, Wellness Center Program Service Specialist. Support for the pantry also comes from the campus community. Various student organizations and departments host food drives. “Without these food drives, there would be gaps in our food stream,” said Christina. “These contributions from our campus community are critical to helping us better serve our students.”

Partnering with the Little Sparks program has allowed the pantry to offer more than food. The collaboration offers essentials like diapers, baby formula, baby food, Pediasure, and diaper rash ointment to parenting students. The pantry connects parenting students to the Little Sparks program for additional resources and financial support.

Utilizing the Pop-up Pantry
A variety of staple foods are offered each week. Items include milk, eggs, bread, pasta, and canned meals, as well as a mixture of shelf-stable and refrigerated foods. A key feature of the pantry is the point system, ensuring that everyone gets what they need, while regulating the amount of food available to students.

With an eight-point system, each food item is assigned a point value. This resets every time students visit the pantry, so they can maximize the amount of items received. Larger items, like pasta or bread, count for one point, while fresh produce, such as apples, oranges, potatoes, and onions, along with toiletries like deodorant and toothpaste, are free of charge. “We intentionally make fresh produce and toiletries zero points,” Christina elaborated, “so that students feel encouraged to grab healthy options like fruits and vegetables without worrying about running out of points. Everyone leaves with a full basket!”

In addition to the shopping guidelines, Carol and Christina recommended a few tips:

• The pantry is open every Wednesday and Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. — avoid lines by arriving around 2 p.m., when the crowd usually thins out. You can usually swipe in and start shopping immediately.
• Don’t worry about which day to go, the pantry restocks after Wednesday’s sessions, so Thursday shoppers have access to the same selection.
• Bring reusable bags! For new registers, the pantry offers a reusable cloth bag.
• The staff is there to help, reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
• In emergencies like homelessness or house fires, visit the pantry for assistance.

No student should feel hesitant about using the pantry; it serves everyone. "If you're feeling like the pantry is not for you, or that you're taking food away from another student. No worries, we serve about 300 students a week," said Carol. "We want students to use the pantry, and there's dignity in getting what you need."

Get involved
Each semester, including summer, the pantry holds a volunteer callout. In addition to volunteering, students can participate in food drives during the semester. Carol elaborated, “We don’t expect students to give back to us, but for those who want to, these drives are a great way to help us better serve the community.” Explore opportunities to give back.

The pantry also hosts events to build community. Partnering with the Wellness Center, students are invited to fun and relaxing DIY arts and crafts sessions. Open to all UIC students, the sessions are a way to relax, build connections, and create a sense of belonging. Information about events, volunteering, and other opportunities can be found on the UIC Wellness Center’s website, Instagram, and newsletter.

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The pantry's evolution from a once-a-month service to a consistent, reliable resource reflects the Wellness Center’s commitment to supporting students in need. “It really is a community effort,” Carol reflected, "There's a phrase that says it takes a village, and it really does. We wouldn’t be here without the support we receive from the university and our partners." Through a combination of nutritious food, resources, and collaboration, the UIC Pop-Up Pantry continues to provide vital assistance to students facing food insecurity. The pantry will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this academic year. Stay tuned to UIClife for details.