An update on the UWT Pantry

The Pantry, a core resource for the UW Tacoma campus, is a service that provides free essential products to help support students and their families. This service will be open and running again this year starting Oct. 5. Due to an almost fully remote learning quarter, most student services will be offered virtually as well. The Pantry has posted new guidelines to ensure students will be able to receive essential and necessary items during the pandemic.

“The security of basic needs for students is essential to their success in the classroom as well as improving graduation rates,” reads the message on the Pantry’s website.

Students are able to order food and sanitary supplies once a week. Essential food items can be ordered online and are sorted based on dietary restrictions. Students can pick between the gluten-free, kosher, omnivore, vegan and vegetarian bag options. Hygiene products can be added to food bags as well if needed. 

“Our mission is to provide supplemental, nutritional and culturally relevant food and hygiene items to UWT students with compassion, dignity and respect,” is the Pantry’s mission statement available on their official website. 

Students can choose between an in-person pickup or a delivery option for students that live within a 30-mile radius from campus. It is important to remember to bring a UWT Student ID or other information stating current enrollment at the campus to pick up an online order.

The Pantry will be open for in-person pickups on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. –2 p.m. Online orders made before 12 p.m. on Friday will be delivered the following week on Wednesdays and Thursdays between the times of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

While the Dougan building will remain locked during the autumn quarter, the Pantry will be open Monday through Friday but closed on weekends. Students can call (253)-692-4765 to notify the personnel to be let into the building. When picking up orders in-person, students are asked to follow proper sanitary measures and social distancing guidelines. 

The Pantry accepts donations of personal hygiene items as well all  kinds of food — including perishables. The Pantry’s donation hours will occur Mondays from 10 a.m. –2 p.m.