Tennessee State University in Nashville has reopened its Tiger Pantry Food Bank on campus. The food bank is for students who are facing temporary hardships and have difficulty affording food while attending college. The food bank was open during the spring 2012 semester and helped more than 200 students.
The food bank is located in the campus’ Gentry Center. Students can access a website that tells them what is in stock at the pantry and can make requests for the items they need once a month. The students are notified online when they can pick up their supplies.
The food bank is supplied entirely by donations. Students, faculty, and staff originally stocked the food bank’s shelves but now the university is asking local businesses and the community for donations.
“We know many students face some type of financial hardship and struggle at times during their college career,” said Arlene Nicholas-Phillips, administrative coordinator in the Office of the President and Tiger Pantry coordinator. “This is a temporary stop gap to offset any financial strain or hardship our students may face. It’s not a grocery store but a place for students struggling to find a meal.”