Asmita, 34, fills a grocery bag with sanitizing products and nutritious produce as she visits the Foodbank's pop-up pantry at the University of Akron. She is a vegetarian and loves receiving fresh fruits and vegetables between classes and work.
Asmita moved to Ohio from India nearly a year ago to pursue a PH. D in mechanical engineering. The Foodbank’s mobile pop-up pantry visits the university every month, making obtaining groceries easier for students with strained budgets.
“The Foodbank pop-up truck provides our students and community members with fresh produce in larger quantities than we are typically able to offer. It signifies that the university and Foodbank are here together in a unified fight against hunger,” said Heather Barhorst, coordinator for Campus Cupboard and ZipAssist at the University of Akron.
The university has nearly 850 international students. Different cultures and religions can impact one’s diet. A top priority of the Foodbank is serving every individual with a sense of dignity and respect. One way the Foodbank strives to do this is by providing food items that align with a person's dietary, religious and ethnic preferences.
“Culturally appropriate food is important to ensure equitable access to food that not only fills our bellies but our spirit too! It’s important that we have food that fits everyone’s needs because it takes courage to ask for help,” said Barhorst.
It can be overwhelming to be a college student – studying for exams, passing classes, applying for internships—the list goes on. In addition to academic work, some have to work to pay for rent, car insurance, groceries and daily expenses. The Foodbank’s partnership with the University of Akron means college students struggling to make ends meet have one less thing to worry about.
“I really appreciate the Foodbank,” said Asmita.