- What is the purpose of the food pantry, and how does it work?
The purpose of the food pantry (or the food support closet - we’ve been calling it both) is to provide Bard students supplemental food supplies. We don't want to take over from Kline or Chartwells, but we understand that while Bard has a high price tag - not everyone has the means to pay it and taking food from Kline to be eaten later as snacks is not always an option. We want to give students one less thing to worry about if they get hungry, are too busy to get to Kline, run out of meal swaps, just want a snack or want to make a meal with their friends. It’s open once a week for 2 hours in the basement of Tewksbury (you knock on the basement door and someone lets you in). We get 50-100 students every week and give out 250-500 items. We are also open by appointment. We work mainly on donation, from Bread Alone in Kingston and a church in Tivoli, but we also supplement with Hannafords for our more popular items. This project has been met with good intentions from surrounding communities and it’s really nice to see. We supply food to all 4 grades, as well as both on and off campus students. Each student is asked to only take 5 items but - like all things - if there is a need, they are more than welcome to take more.
- How did you get involved, and what is your role?
I am one of the 3 student founders (myself, Isabel Ballard and Jamie Hoelzel). Izzy was abroad this semester but she helped set it up. Jamie and I do it all; we go out to get donations, go shopping for food, label, put the food into our system, organize, clean the space, we send out emails trying to get more local donations and we are the ones there during our open hours. I do all of the order forms and the traditional running of club duties while Jamie works more with students. Since it's just the two of us, we wear a lot of different hats.
- What is the origin story of the project?
Izzy wanted to start a food pantry to make Bard more accessible to all students. The administration wasn't going to create something, since we have so many dining options, so we made it a Bard Wellness Club initiative.
- How has your work changed as a result of COVID-19? How are you supporting students staying on campus?
I am off campus, filling out order forms and requests for next semester while Jamie is our on the ground person. There is a google form where students can fill out an order of food (and items like soap, shampoo, etc) that she packages up and then a student response team comes and picks it up and delivers it directly to the student’s door. We have 60 packages going out a week. The CCE has been a great help, with donations, supplies, and even letting us borrow some of their volunteers.
- How can students get involved, or support the initiative?
While the situation with COVID-19 continues, students should email
[email protected] to speak to our faculty advisor (Annia Reyes).
However, once things get back to normal, you can shoot me an email at
[email protected]. We are always in need of volunteers to help stock, label and manage the room during open hours.
We really need more help next semester as all 3 of us will be seniors and this pandemic has shown that food security is more important than ever. This was started to offer more resources to our student community and we would be horribly upset if it couldn't survive past us. Jamie and I put in so many hours a week to make this project work, and not to be totally cheesy - but we need YOUR help to keep it running.
Pictured below: Jamie and her grandmother; Grace and theirs.
Jamie- Jamie (She/Her) is our on the ground head at this time. She is filling orders, responding to emails and making sure people stay safe and still have access to the pantry. She is a studio art major, lover of Disney and responsible for the positive sidewalk chalk around Bard Campus. One of the best people you can meet at Bard - she always has time for people and is always ready for a late night walk.
Grace- My name is Gracie and I use They/She pronouns. I’m one of the founding members of the Food Pantry and the Wellness Club. I helped set up the pantry before I returned home, going shopping, creating COVID-19 protocols with Jamie and getting some initial funding. I’m a rising senior in the biology program and have a deep love for tidal rivers. I’m a super energetic person and LOVE LOVE LOVE cats. And fish. And cows. And chickens… I might just really enjoy animals.
Post Date: 04-24-2020
