During the summer of 2020, while the COVID-19 pandemic was decreasing students' employment options and food security, the Husker Pantry distributed close to 6,000 items every month to University of Nebraska–Lincoln students to meet their basic needs for meals and household items.

As the pandemic continues affecting day-to-day life worldwide and only about 10% of people residing in the U.S. have received the vaccine so far, the upcoming summer of 2021 is shaping up to be another high-demand time for the pantry.

To meet this expected need, the campus community and alumni are being asked to donate March 22-31 during the Husker Pantry Spring Food Drive.

The aim is to collect 2,021 items during the 10-day period to build up reserve inventory so Huskers have uninterrupted service for the entire summer. The pantry has a full list of requested products, with a special need for personal hygiene items, particularly shampoo, hair conditioner, body wash and bar soap.

"At the current moment, we're averaging 180 orders every week at the pantry. Although orders decrease slightly during the summer months, food insecurity and the need to help students remains steady," said Megan Patel, pantry program coordinator. "More than 30% of Husker students already have or will be facing food insecurity and hunger at some point this year."

There are two ways for the community to get donated items to the pantry:

• Purchase online via the pantry’s Amazon Marketplace wishlist. Items are shipped and delivered directly to the pantry's location in the University Health Center.
• Drop off locally-purchased items at one of 18 collection bins located on City and East campus. Find a location here.

For additional details about the food drive and its operations, email pantry@unl.edu.