To keep up with the growing need, the pantry recently partnered with Philabundance, the nonprofit food-bank based in Philadelphia. Through this new partnership, the pantry hopes to establish a continuous flow of goods to offer.
Student volunteer Erin Mraz explains some of the resources provided by the Cherry Pantry:
“On top of food, we offer things like menstrual products, soaps, and we also offer services such as showing people how they can apply to SNAP and seeing if they’re eligible for things like that.”
The pantry plans to increase its outreach and offerings by providing more baby products, beauty products, and additional resources for students who have child-related needs.
Using a point system, non-perishable food items are separated into either one, two, or three-point categories. Each patron is allotted 16 points per week. Perishables and produce on the other hand are free to take without point deduction.
Patrons are allowed up to two hygiene products per week, also without point deduction.
While the location didn’t move far, Cherry Pantry intern Navon Cooper says that some students are still adjusting to the relocation.
“Well, I think that once students find out the location, because I think a lot of students are getting mixed up with old location and new location.”
Despite the move into the corner of the first floor, the increased space is making student workers confident that resources will be more accessible to those in need. Erin had the following to say regarding the pantry’s aim:
“With the new space, I think we’re trying to serve even more people because we know that it is in demand.”
To find out more details about the pantry’s offerings, visit their website at deanofstudents.temple.edu
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