By Anna Dickinson, Currier Times Staff///

Curry is starting new programs to help students who are struggling with food. The Meal Swipe Donation Program was officially created through SGA – Student Government Association – and its goal is to be able to donate meal swipes to people in need.

The food pantry is in the works by a current First Year Inquiry class and opened recently. Its goal, when finished, is to have food throughout campus stored in little boxes for people to take if needed. Both of these things were created in hopes of helping to feed students who are struggling or don’t have access to food that they need.

The Meal Swipe Donation Program allows students to donate one of their meal swipes to help students in need. By donating a meal swipe, it can make a huge difference in the lives of people who may be struggling to access meals. This program has a huge potential to work out with the chance of collecting over 1,000 donated meals. Donors and recipients of the meal swipes will stay anonymous. 

Samantha Pineda, a first year Psychology major feels it is an important step for fellow students to take.

“I think it’s a great idea that the school is doing this,” said Pineda. “I can imagine it will help so many people.”

Emma Stewart, a sophomore Communication major, also felt it was a positive step.

“It’s definitely something beneficial and I hope it ends up working well!” said Stewart.

Curry college students in need of a meal swipe can request up to five swipes by completing the Emergency Relief Fund Request Form, which can be found here.

How can you participate?

1. Log In: Visit https://shop-currydiningservices.sodexomyway.com/donate-a-meal-6 
2. Donate: Follow the instructions and complete your “purchase” in the shopping bag. Check out this guide on how to donate.   
3. Confirm: Follow the prompts to confirm your donation. 

Why help?

You can make a difference in someone’s lives. Small acts of kindness can have a big impact for someone. Contributing to the program can help strengthen community bonds. And lastly, you can help support your peers by providing a much needed meal. 

Food Pantry Opens

The Food Pantry is an idea brought up from Dr. Jennifer Hart’s First Year Inquiry course called “Food Classes.” 

Gabi De Almeida, a student in Dr. Hart’s FYI class, said it was a class decision to try this approach.

“We got to choose our final assignment as a class, and we chose the food pantry,” said De Almeida.

Dartagnan Boudreau, another student in Dr. Hart’s FYI class, said, “My part was Idea building, a little bit of managing and the literal creation of the pantry.”

The students in the class are the ones who are running the whole enterprise, while Dr. Hart is there simply if they need anything. She’s in the background and letting the students take charge. 

Maddy Greene, a junior Communication major, said there is definitely a need for a project like this.

“I love the idea of a food pantry,” said Greene. “I think it will be so useful for the people who are struggling with getting proper food or meals.”

The idea of a food pantry comes at a time when, Dr. Hart says, more college students than ever are struggling to pay for food.

“About 20-25% of college students will face food insecurity at some time during school,” said Dr. Hart. “Which is about twice the national average.”

While the current Food Pantry will only be up through the end of the Fall semester, there is hope it will reopen for the Spring semester. The current location is on the Ground Floor of AAPC, near the stairway.