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A food drive to help fill the new Campus Pantry will begin Monday, Aug 4 and continue through Aug. 14.

“Pack the Pantry” is an effort to support the Campus Pantry: Amherst Survival Center at UMass, which will provide current students and staff access to free groceries. Co-hosted by the UMass Amherst Community Campaign (UMACC) and UMass Basic Needs Initiatives, “Pack the Pantry” is gathering non-perishable items that are easy to eat, store, and share – perfect for anyone who may not have easy access to a full kitchen. Donations such as pull-tab top cans of soup, chili, pasta and beans, instant oatmeal packets, cereal or granola bars, snacks, and single serving packs such as applesauce and instant noodles are ideal.

The Campus Pantry, which is located in the lower level of 472 North Pleasant Street, will have its grand opening at on Sept. 6. 

“The Campus Pantry, a partnership between UMass and the Amherst Survival Center, is a powerful example of what we can accomplish when we come together,” say food drive organizers Bridget Hynes of the Basic Needs Initiatives and UMACC’s Jen Gallant. “The Campus Pantry will help promote the well-being of UMass community members and support their basic needs through a free grocery shopping program here on campus. This is an opportunity for the UMass community to make a real impact and support one another across campus.” 

Hynes and Gallant add that individuals can also help by promoting the drive and/or holding smaller collections in their area to gather a bulk donation for the pantry. 

For more information on the pantry and the food drive, contact [email protected] or [email protected].
 

“Pack the Pantry” Donation Locations

(All hours are Monday-Friday, except for UMass Downtown; Locations and availability are subject to change)

• Berkshire House, 121 County Circle, 1st floor south entrance closest to Parking Loop 71; 8 a.m. - 5p.m.
• Integrated Science Building, 661 N. Pleasant Street, 1st Floor Lobby in front of café; 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Isenberg, 121 President’s Drive, Atrium; 8 a.m. - 5p.m.
• Old Chapel, 144 Hicks Way, to the left in vestibule; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Physical Plant Main Lobby, 2nd floor front desk and next to Lock Shop; 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts, 151 Presidents Drive, in the glass atrium; 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Recreation Center, 161 Commonwealth Ave, 2nd floor next to Courtside Café; 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• UMass Downtown, 108 N. Pleasant St., near CVS in downtown Amherst; Tues. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sat./Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• University Health Services, 150 Infirmary Way, just inside the main entrance to the left; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Venture Way, 400 Venture Way, Breakroom; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Whitmore Administration, 181 Presidents Drive, one box by the 2nd floor doors at the ramp at Whitmore 225 and a second box at the door on the lower level by lot 71 and the Whitmore Café; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.