µÛÍõ»áËù

Pantry expansion strengthens student support

µÛÍõ»áËù's Bear Pantry was first created in 2014. Back then, the storefront was no bigger than a closet. It has since grown both in physical size and through community partnerships to create more accessibility to food and hygiene products. And this past January, the pantry received its biggest facelift yet.    

Thanks to a $310,000 grant from The Weld Trust, along with approximately $430,000 from the university and gifts from other generous donors both large and small, µÛÍõ»áËù secured funding to expand the pantry and enhance student support resources with the newly created Center for Student Well-Being.   

The new space was officially opened to the university community on Jan. 27, in the lower level of the University Center in place of the former Student Computer Commons. Since that time, pantry staff have served between 250-300 people every week, compared to 90-

Monetary, food and hygiene donations are vital to the Bear Pantry’s ability to serve the needs of the university community. During its first semester of operation in 2025, the pantry brought in over 54,000 items. Nearly half of those items were contributed by the Weld Food Bank, the pantry's largest partner. About 2,200 donations came from the community, and generous monetary donations funded the remaining items purchased by pantry staff from local grocery stores. 

In addition to the free nutritious food and other essentials available in the pantry, students can meet with the center’s resource navigators for individualized support and connections to other resources related to food insecurity, housing insecurity, medical and mental health care and emergency funding.  

—Syndey Kern

---

Food insecurity on the rise, higher for college students:

• In 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service reported that 13.5% of U.S. households experienced food insecurity at some point during the year.  
• In 2025, the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment reported that 57% of undergraduate and 49.2% of graduate students reported experiencing food insecurity in the past 30 days.  
• A spring 2023 survey at µÛÍõ»áËù revealed that more than 50% of both undergraduate and graduate students reported some degree of food insecurity in the past 30 days. 

What’s new at the Bear Pantry?

More space and expanded support: 

• The renovations allowed µÛÍõ»áËù space to triple the size of the previous pantry from 400 to 1,225 square feet. 
• Expanded space to stock produce and frozen meat products from the Weld Food Bank, and vegan and plant-based meats to support a variety of diets.
• Guests in need of additional food resources can meet with resource navigators from the Center for Student Well-Being to learn more about Colorado’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and get connected with community partners for other basic needs support.

Top 10 items pantry guests need the most*

1. Pasta items (gluten and gluten free)
2. Rice
3. Canned meats
4. Produce (non-refrigerated)
5. Shelf stable milks/dry milk
6. Spam
7. Canned soups/meals
8. Seasonings  
9. Toilet paper and paper towels
10. Laundry detergent 

*Based on trends and prices of goods tracked by Bear Pantry staff – these are often items that are not available at the local food bank or generally out of price range for purchase.

Learn more about how µÛÍõ»áËù’s Bear Pantry and Center for Student Well-Being support µÛÍõ»áËù students.