By Sophia Raspanti
Nearly one in four undergraduate students, and one in ten graduate students, experience food insecurity each year: a total reaching nearly 4 million students. Food insecurity negatively impacts students’ academic successes and ability to learn, making these basic need insecurities a critical issue central to university systems nationwide. Furthermore, an estimated additional 12.2% of students (2.3 million) experience marginal food security, demonstrating the widespread need for university and legislative intervention.
One proposed solution aimed at bolstering food security at UNC Chapel Hill’s campus is the Carolina Cupboard food pantry. Located within Avery Residence Hall, the Carolina Cupboard is a community food pantry with the mission of providing food assistance to individuals within the UNC community. Students interested in using the pantry fill out a registration form prior to visiting and must present a valid UNC One Card upon each visit. The pantry is open Monday through Thursday from 10am – 4pm and students unavailable during normal hours are welcome to schedule an appointment. Furthermore, Carolina Cupboard offers additional resources on their website to help students find free nutritious meals within the local community.
Since its beginning in 2014, Carolina Cupboard has made a significant impact across the UNC Chapel Hill campus. The cupboard’s advisors and executive board members note that requests for food and undergraduate and graduate student visits increased significantly during the spring of 2020 and in the two years prior to the pandemic.
All resources available at the Carolina Cupboard are provided by volunteers, student organizations, and campus partnership spaces such as Edible Campus and the UNC Community Garden. Students are encouraged to volunteer with the pantry, organize food drives, and donate to the program.
According to Carolina Stories, the pantry received more than 1,100 gifts and raised over $150,000 collectively with N.C. State during the annual pantry bowl. This year, the Cupboard hopes to raise even more than previous years, as statistics show that 22% of UNC undergraduate and graduate students experience food insecurity, which means that it is more important than ever to provide reliable aid.
Carlisle Watts ’25, the president of the Carolina Cupboard, says, “We’re there for students facing food insecurity and it’s a very open and welcome place for them to come... there’s no limit on how many times they can come or how much food they can take. We’re just there to provide any assistance we can, and we’re so happy and eager to help in any way we can.”
Food insecurity is increasing, leaving more and more college students wondering where their next meal will come from each year. The Carolina Cupboard is an essential campus resource that can assist in bolstering basic needs security and increase access to nutritious food. As the Cupboard enters its 11th year of operation on campus, it is important to reflect on the impact the program has had as well as look towards a future of support and service.
“Something we see every day is how appreciative and unbelievably grateful everyone is for Carolina Cupboard and the services it provides and how much of a weight it is off our patrons,” says Watts, “You can just see the relief when they’re able to get their food.”
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