(Oct. 23, 2017) – With a gift of $3,000, local grocery retailer H-E-B is expanding the impact of the Roadrunner Pantry, an on-campus food bank that is helping ensure UTSA students have access to food to eat. The gift will help UTSA stock the pantry’s shelves with food and other essentials.
“We are beyond grateful to H-E-B for their willingness to help our students,” said Nikki Lee, senior associate director of events management in the University Center, who oversee the Roadrunner Pantry. “Without their help, we may not have been able to keep up with demand in light of increased enrollment and the many students needing relief because of Hurricane Harvey.”
Since opening its doors in March 2017, the Roadrunner Pantry has distributed nearly 8,000 pounds of food and almost 2,500 nonfood items to UTSA students.
Last month, the pantry received a gift card from H-E-B to purchase food to stock the pantry. Previously, H-E-B has supported other university programs that have benefited undergraduate and graduate students in addition to faculty recruitment.
Additionally, the pantry raised $5,111 during a crowdfunding project this semester to commemorate National Hunger Action Month. Contributions from 102 donors—including students, faculty, staff and alumni—made the effort a success. Through a partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank, every one dollar donated can be turned into seven meals offered through the pantry.
The Roadrunner Pantry is also building on campus partnerships, as well. Campus Services and UTSA Dining have committed to providing 1,800 meals at the Roadrunner Café for students in need.
One of the interns working with the Roadrunner Pantry this semester is Rosalynda Rodea, a senior in the coordinated program in dietetics at UTSA. She reviews thank you notes left by students utilizing the pantry.
“Some of the stories I read are from students who don’t know on Friday how they are going to eat over the weekend,” said Rodea.
Jamilyn Keeton, a senior public administration major and a student team member at the pantry, echoes Rosalynda’s message.
“It’s really hard to be food insecure, because we’re students and that should be our first priority,” Keeton said.
The Roadrunner Pantry relies on donations and community support to meet the student demand. Food donations can be dropped off at the Roadrunner Pantry Donation Station in the University Center across from the bookstore. The UTSA community can also sign up a department, organization or an event for a food drive here. Additionally, the pantry accepts monetary donations and welcomes volunteers.
Learn more about the Roadrunner Pantry including ways to donate.
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Join the PEACE Center and Wellbeing Services for Denim Day, a day of learning about the importance of consent and why we wear denim on the last Wednesday of the month each April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Stop by our Denim Day display to take a photo in front of our Denim Wall, spin the "Is It Consent?" Wheel, and get a Concha or goodie.
Student Union Window Lounge, Main CampusLearn to use Zotero®, a citation manager that can help you store and organize citations you find during your research. Zotero can generate bibliographies in various styles, insert in-text citations and allow you to share sources with collaborators.
Virtual EventThis event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
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UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
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