Auburn Campus Food Pantry sees large increase in demand, seeks public donations amid SEC Food Fight event

The Auburn University Campus Food Pantry has seen a dramatic increase in demand in just the past few months, and organizers say donations from the public are greatly appreciated in meeting that growing need.

“We are incredibly passionate about ending food insecurity on our campus and welcome any partnerships for this cause,” said Sarah Grace Kaschak, coordinator for Auburn Cares, a support office on Auburn’s campus that oversees the food pantry along with other helpful programming. 

One such partnership is through the annual SEC Food Fight event, which takes place through April 13 and involves each SEC university competing to see which can raise the most needed funds and items for their respective pantry. In the past two years, the SEC Food Fight has raised about $30,000 for the pantry. However, the pantry spends about $25,000-$30,000 on groceries each month.

Kaschak said that for the first three months of this year alone, the food pantry has received 2,855 visits, compared to 1,428 visits for all of 2022. So, why the drastic increase recently?

“I think this change is due to multiple factors: moving to a central location on campus so more students are aware of the service, an increase in open hours so more students can come to the pantry, a lessening of the stigma surrounding food insecurity and the rising cost of groceries and housing in our area,” Kaschak said.

The Campus Food Pantry provides food and toiletry items to all Auburn students experiencing food insecurity. Through the pantry, students are assisted with their basic needs so they can be successful in and out of the classroom. The pantry opened in 2012. Since February 2022, the pantry has been located more centrally on campus in Lupton Hall and currently receives anywhere from five to eight pallets of food every two weeks. The pantry has distributed 69,841 items so far this year. 

“Our biggest demand right now is produce. We typically have bananas, carrots, onions and potatoes,” said Kaschak, adding that students also love rice and such snacks as granola, nuts, trail mix and Goldfish crackers.

Kaschak said the public’s help in meeting the pantry’s ongoing need is vital to its mission.

“Campus and community members can help the Campus Food Pantry through donations — monetary or items — and volunteering,” she said. 

Monetary donations can be made to the food pantry by visiting Auburngiving.org/OCMfoodfight. Item donations can be dropped off at the pantry from 7:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Melton Student Center, Suite 1206. Those in need of assistance can visit the food pantry from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Mondays, 1-5 p.m. on Tuesdays, 8 a.m.-noon on Wednesday and 1-5 p.m. on Thursdays. More information about the food pantry is available online.