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5 Ways To Help Struggling Food Pantries During COVID-19

Now, more than ever, food pantries need your help.

Kaitlyn Stivers

Jun 09, 2020

Villanova University

Google Images Labeled for Reuse

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented the world with a multitude of unprecedented problems. One of the most pressing issues has been the increased need for food pantry resources. Whether families unexpectedly lost their source of income or those who were previously struggling continue to have a lack of resources, there is an increased demand for food pantry services. Unfortunately, with the social distancing and lockdown measures that have been enforced as a result of COVID-19, many food pantries were unable to function in their normal capacities or unable to function at all. Now, more than ever, food pantries and soup kitchens need your help. Below I have listed 5 easy ways you can help your local food pantry and all of the people who depend on its' resources.

1. Host a food drive

This is a great contactless way to help out. Note that many food pantries are now looking to provide healthy options. Consider asking people to donate cans of white tuna, peanut butter, squeezable apple sauce, canned vegetables and fruits, assorted nuts, beans, granola bars, whole grain crackers, and brown rice.

2. Host a toiletry drive

Toiletries are always accepted by food pantries and are often always on their list of needed inventory. Products such as feminine hygiene products, baby diapers, or hand sanitizer can make a huge difference in the lives of many families and individuals. Consider asking for items such as, but not limited to: hand sanitizer, baby diapers and wipes, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, paper towels, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and home cleaning supplies.

3. Volunteer

During the current pandemic, many food pantries and soup kitchens have been short on volunteers. If you are willing and able, consider volunteering at a local pantry. They have many volunteer opportunities that do not involve coming in contact with others such as shelf stocking and inventory logging. Anything helps!

4. Make meals at home

Some food pantries or relief organizations accept premade meals that are constructed following a set of predetermined guidelines. This can be a great way for you to get involved and do your part to help out. Reach out to your local pantry and ask if they will accept brown bagged lunches or homemade sandwiches.

5. Make a monetary donation

Please consider donating to your local food pantry during this difficult time. You can also consider donating to larger funds such as the Feeding America COVID-19 Response Fund.

Things I Am Actually Going To Do This Semester

Or at least try to do.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

378

CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

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Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

Southwestern University

1122

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Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

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Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

Michigan State University

789

Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

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Student Life

Top 20 Thoughts College Students Have During Finals

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

University of Vermont

111

Thanksgiving break is over and Christmas is just around the corner and that means, for most college students, one hellish thing — finals week. It's the one time of year in which the library becomes over populated and mental breakdowns are most frequent. There is no way to avoid it or a cure for the pain that it brings. All we can do is hunker down with our books, order some Dominos, and pray that it will all be over soon. Luckily, we are not alone in this suffering. To prove it, here are just a few of the many deranged thoughts that go through a college student's mind during finals week.

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Student Life

28 Daily Thoughts of College Students

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

Kennesaw State University

1457

group of people sitting on bench near trees duting daytime

Photo by Naassom Azevedo on Unsplash

I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.