Thursday 30-05-2024 - 00:00

In partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University, the Students' Association created a Student Pantry within the Students' Association Building in December 2023. We are grateful to the University for providing funding and support to build the Student Pantry and for its operating costs during 2023/24. The Student Pantry is another example of our Student Partnership Agreement being delivered.

The Student Pantry supports our physical health, mental health and wellbeing strategic theme in our Strategic Plan

The Student Pantry was created to respond to the current Cost of Living Crisis that is affecting our students and a successfully achieved Team Objective for the Full Time Officers 2023/24.

The Student Pantry operated from Monday 15th January until Friday 17th May 2024 and was run by a paid GCU student and managed by the Advice Centre. Once per fortnight, GCU students were eligible to book a date and time slot in advance to attend the Student Pantry to collect up to 10 free food items, such as packets of pasta, rice, porridge and tinned foods. The food collected from the Student Pantry was not designed to be a week or fortnight's full food shop but will contain a good range of cupboard staples.

Overall 523 individual GCU students accessed the Student Pantry to collect 1,205 bags of free food.

In terms of demographics of GCU students who used the Student Pantry: 47% female, 53% male; 98% international, 2% UK; 98% PGT, 2% UG; 93% FT, 7% PT; 90% over 25 years old; 47% GSBS, 25% SCEBE, 28% SHLS.

The Students’ Association surveyed all students who used the Student Pantry, with 51 respondents. The main reason students used the Student Pantry was to alleviate financial stress and the high cost of living, it facilitated a greater focus on studying, not worrying about their next meal and not taking a focus away from their studies. We asked what different having access to the Student Pantry made, with the following examples of responses:

“Since I started getting items from the pantry I spend less on buying food items. I’m never worried about not having money to buy food items.”

"The groceries I have received from the pantry has really helped me to always have something to eat. The variety of the groceries also helped me to eat healthier. Thanks to the Students’ Association and the University for this very helpful project.”

“I have only used the pantry once but I would say it did count for me. Knowing that our welfare is been cared for.”

“One of the most immediate benefits is financial relief. With the rising costs of living, managing expenses can be overwhelming. The Student Pantry helped alleviate some of this burden by providing free access to basic food. This means I can allocate the limited resources towards other essential expenses like rent, transportation, or academic materials. The existence of the Student Pantry fostered a sense of community and support within the academic environment. It reassures me that the institution cares about my welfare and success, not just for academic output. This is particularly empowering for me and enhances my overall GCU experience.”

Student President 2023/24, Chidozie Nwaigwe, opening the Student Pantry