For many students, college isn't just endless meal plans, late-night study sessions, and newfound freedom. Over 30% of college students are food insecure, 56% of food-insecure students are working, 75% of food-insecure students receive financial aid through their institutions, and 43% have a meal plan (College & University Food Bank Alliance). Indeed, food insecurity cuts across all demographic statuses, enrollment levels, and geographic locations. These stressors affect student success, impact learning, grades, and time to earn degrees. By addressing food insecurity, we also address educational needs.

History

UNT is addressing food insecurity among its students and is doing so with a vision of partnership and community building. UNT aims to alleviate barriers and challenges associated with food insecurity and hunger, so students can remain in school and, ultimately, earn degrees. In 2015, the Dean of Students established the food pantry providing an accessible on-campus food source for students in need. Current UNT students can visit the pantry, with protocols that allow for student confidentiality and dignity to be maintained. The food pantry helps students bridge the expense gap and have healthy and nutritious meals, allowing them to concentrate on learning. The Food Pantry presented by Kroger is 450 square feet and is currently housed in the Diamond Eagles Student Resource Center through the Maple Street entrance of Crumley Hall. A refrigerator and freezer were added by a generous donor to the food pantry in 2020 which has helped us extend a variety of food for our students.

In April 2021, Kroger presented a gift of $250,000 to help support UNT Students by renaming the UNT Food Pantry to UNT Food Pantry presented by Kroger over the next 5 years. Kroger is highly committed to Zero Hunger, Zero Waste initiative. This generous gift will help fund student worker positions in the UNT Food pantry, help extend hours to more nights and weekends and help supplement food that is needed in the pantry when donations do not cover certain needs of our students.

Who It Serves

  • Any currently enrolled UNT student (undergraduate, graduate, etc). Students who visit the food pantry may request to meet with a Dean of Students staff member to discuss any difficulties they may be facing. The Dean of Students office has the ability to reach out and advocate for students to on-campus departments that may be able to help you When appropriate, a referral to additional campus and/or community resources will be made, including the UNT Career Center, Student Money Management Center, etc.
  • We believe in building a food pantry that serves students with all different dietary needs and we do focus on a wide variety of items. When students sign up for items in the food pantry, they can request a variety of food that may serve the following dietary needs: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free, Lactose Intolerant, Pescatarian, Kosher and request other items. We will make every effort to see how we can help each student with their requests.
  • Students can also request items such as plasticware, laundry detergent, feminine hygiene products, toiletries, or a can opener.

Location

The UNT Food Pantry presented by Kroger is at the back of Crumley Hall in the Diamond Eagle Student Resource Center. You can enter temporary parking out back through Maple Street. The coordinates for directions for any Maps app you use are - 33.208823, -97.149337.

Map to Food Pantry

There is also a food pantry at UNT's New College at Frisco, which can be accessed by visiting the information desk.

Questions

Any questions regarding the UNT Food Pantry should be directed to the address DOSFoodPantry@unt.edu.