Western Sydney University students won’t go hungry this exam season
With end of year exams underway Western Sydney University is making sure its students don’t go hungry – supplying them with the food essentials to make a nourishing meal thanks to its innovative pop-up Western Pantry series.
Hosted by the Student Community team the pop-up pantries have been springing up across the University’s campus network throughout the semester to support students. The last pop-up pantry for the year is being held today in collaboration with the University’s Mental Health and Wellbeing team at the Parramatta South campus.
The pop-up pantries are an extension of the highly successful Western Pantry initiative (opens in a new window) providing students with essential food and hygiene items free of cost. Western Pantry has been running as a pilot at the Kingswood campus since July with great success.
Data from the University’s own survey reveals more than 50 per cent of its students are food insecure.
Student Community Program Coordinator Ms Miranda Zhang said Western Pantry has been well received by students, and rolling the pop-ups out to even more campuses has been a great way to help as many students as possible.
“Providing convenient access to pantry staples right here on campus ensures our students are able to take on their studies feeling satisfied,” said Ms Zhang.
“Since we launched Western Pantry in July we have had more than 3,300 visits, highlighting just how important this initiative is.”
Demand for fresh produce at the pantries has been high, as well as for instant coffees, noodles, long life milk, pasta sauces and grains.
“From what I'm seeing, students gravitate towards items which can be consumed immediately with limited preparation,” she said.
“We also encouraged our students to give feedback on items they would like to see more of, which saw us introduce bread, pesto and lentils during our opening weeks.”
In addition to the Parramatta South pop-up pantry, pop-ups have been established at the Bankstown City campus every Friday as well as the Liverpool campus, where up to 50 bags stocked with essential pantry items were recently delivered to students.
“More than 150 students here at Parramatta South campus today have received food items at no cost, including five pantry staples, five fruits and five vegetables, ensuring they can make nourishing meals throughout the week,” said Ms Zhang.
In addition, the University’s Mental Health and Wellbeing team provided dignity packs specifically for international students which includes items such as shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, deodorant, razors and toothbrushes.
Western Sydney University was named number one in the world for social, ecological and economic impact for the third year in a row in the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rankings.
Western Pantry is Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) funded with the Student Community Food Security Programs (opens in a new window) team overseeing the coordination and logistics of the pantry.
In addition to initiatives provided through SSAF, students have access to a comprehensive range of services at the University, including welfare, counselling, and wellbeing support (opens in a new window).
ENDS
15 November 2024
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