Carolina Cupboard, the on-campus food pantry, will move to a bigger location for the upcoming school year.
The new space is down the hall from their current location in Avery Residence Hall, but it will be larger and have more capabilities.
Shawnna Gladney, chair of Carolina Cupboard, said they have been planning to move locations and worked with the Residence Hall Association to find a bigger space.
“The purpose of our relocation is so we can move to a larger space to include perishable food items," she said.
Shawnna Gladney said Carolina Cupboard will renovate the room and, through a grant, have refrigerators, freezers, customized bins and shelves — allowing them to collect and distribute perishable food items. The grant came from the Carolina Parents Council.
"We received partial funding for approximately $5,000," Gladney said.
She said the new room will be about five times bigger than their current location, allowing for more food storage. She said she wants to paint the walls of the new room with food pyramids and other images that encourage healthy eating.
Shawnna Gladney said she is excited that Carolina Cupboard will now be able to provide perishable food, because it offers a healthier option for students facing food insecurity.
“When we think about food, and foods that are available to students, there is a high correlation between poor nutrition and health and consumption of perishable food items,” Gladney said. “I wanted us to not only be able to provide resources to students, but to be able to give them nutritious options.”
