UNC Charlotte has created an on-campus food pantry, located in the Colvard Building, Room 3135, to benefit off-campus students who may have need. A recent national study showed an unexpectedly large number of college students are unable to find or afford nutritious food.

“As a University, we are deeply committed to fostering the best education possible, and that starts with making sure our students are eating nutritious meals consistently,” said Sean Langley, food pantry program co-founder and assistant director of off-campus and volunteer outreach.

The pantry will provide assistance to undergraduate and graduate students. Food Lion recently donated three pallets of nonperishable items to the pantry, including boxed cereal, oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, boxed rice, tuna, mixed vegetables, applesauce, chicken noodle soup and more.

To qualify for assistance, students must live off campus and not have a University meal plan. In addition, each client must complete an intake form and a food pantry inventory list.

UNC Charlotte faculty and staff members will apply for grants from Food Lion and other agencies that address hunger-related issues to continue support for the campus food pantry, according to student affairs officials. In establishing the pantry, UNC Charlotte joins 13 other UNC system institutions with similar initiatives.

Faculty, staff and student donations and volunteerism will keep the food pantry operational, said Langley.

For more information, email Sean Langley at slangley@uncc.edu.