In an effort to serve more people and offer healthier options, the pantry at the Women’s Center has extended its hours on Wednesday and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is offering fresh produce and bread.
The pantry collects donations of nonperishable food items, feminine and personal care products, diapers and more. These items are made available for any 5X student, staff or faculty member with a valid Kent State ID. On Thursdays, the pantry also has various fresh items such as fruits and vegetables, bread and premade sandwiches. These products are available through the Campus Kitchen at Kent State project and Trader Joe's.
“People who are food insecure are in your classes, working in your offices – there is no easy way to tell who may need to utilize the pantry,” says Cassandra Pegg-Kirby, assistant director of the Women's Center. “We want to not only provide the resources but also help to change the stigma around food insecurity.”
Anyone can make a donation at the center and groups can choose to “adopt” the pantry for a semester and make consistent donations. The Women’s Center is located on the Kent Campus in the Williamson House at the corner of East Main Street and Midway Drive. For a map and detailed directions, please visit this Google map.
“The only way we exist is through the generosity of our community,” Pegg-Kirby says. “We look out for one another in our community. That is just what we do.”
Learn more about the pantry at the Women's Center