[alisondoehring]

Great questions – thanks for starting us off! I’m SO glad we have this space to connect.?

1. We offer 6 “Grab & Go” locations – these are satellite pantries across campus that are not monitored, just restocked weekly by our team. We then have 2 walk-in spaces which have specified open shopping hours. We just began PantrySoft to monitor inventory. We offer some more “big ticket” items [such as family-size laundry detergent, new bedding/towel sets, or appliances] and were needing a way to fairly monitor. We also use this data to form our newsletter list-serv and for online ordering. Our students have been very receptive.? ?

2. We do not have capacity nor interest in a continuous clothing closet. For that reason, we host pop-up professional clothing giveaways. We partner with local corporations and host these events twice per semester. We see about 250 students at the program – very much so appreciated by our students and a great partnership with local alum who serve as a donation site lead.?

Alison Doehring?
ZipAssist, The University of Akron
Campus Cupboard?

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Ali Doehring
Director, ZipAssist
University of Akron
Akron OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-05-2023 13:23
From: Jenn Cook
Subject: Monitoring/Assessment

Hello everyone, 

First of all, thank you for starting this! 

I am curious if other campuses are also hesitant to start monitoring their pantry spaces such as a check-in system and staffing? We have student staff that manage inventory, keep the space clean and accessible, and monitor notes left on a white board but otherwise we don’t keep track of who/how many are using it. The con of course is assessment data but it also allows for a low barrier for students who are nervous about accessing what is available. 

I would also like to hear if others include a clothing closet or clothing swap in their spaces. We have students who want to start this but I’ve been advised it is a logistical nightmare to keep up. I would appreciate hearing more experiences!

Thank you

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Jenn Cook
Leadership and Community Engagement
Western Washington University
Bellingham WA
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[Jim Johnson]

We have a low-barrier check-in process at our pantry so we know how many individuals and families we’re serving. Our staff are available to share information about other resources in the community, and they help to establish a welcoming atmosphere and a sense of community among returning shoppers. We also have a more grab-and-go satellite. We so far have resisted starting a clothing closet, for a few reasons including logistics. Following a recent apartment fire in the community that affected students, clothes were donated. They’re still here, reinforcing our perception (perhaps incorrectly) that this isn’t a significant need for our students. We do have groups that facilitate clothing swaps and thrifting events on campus, and our LGBTQ+ Culture Center operates a gender-affirming closet.?

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Jim Johnson
Associate Director, Student Involvement & Leadership Center
Indiana University-Bloomington
Bloomington IN
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-05-2023 13:23
From: Jenn Cook
Subject: Monitoring/Assessment

Hello everyone, 

First of all, thank you for starting this! 

I am curious if other campuses are also hesitant to start monitoring their pantry spaces such as a check-in system and staffing? We have student staff that manage inventory, keep the space clean and accessible, and monitor notes left on a white board but otherwise we don’t keep track of who/how many are using it. The con of course is assessment data but it also allows for a low barrier for students who are nervous about accessing what is available. 

I would also like to hear if others include a clothing closet or clothing swap in their spaces. We have students who want to start this but I’ve been advised it is a logistical nightmare to keep up. I would appreciate hearing more experiences!

Thank you

——————————
Jenn Cook
Leadership and Community Engagement
Western Washington University
Bellingham WA
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[Dylan Heffernan]

1. Like Ali, we also use PantrySoft. We collect strictly demographic information (name, email, ethnicity, gender, etc) which hasn’t shown to be a barrier for students on our campus.

   2.? We have a professional clothing closet on campus. We were fortunate that there was a closet space available next door to our pantry that we could use. We have accepted donations from faculty, staff, students, and outside partners. It can be daunting in regards to space and inventory management though. We have Bachelors and Masters level social work interns placed in our program which makes this easier to manage.?

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Dylan Heffernan
Assistant Director of We Care and Community Service
Ramapo College
Mahwah NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-05-2023 13:23
From: Jenn Cook
Subject: Monitoring/Assessment

Hello everyone, 

First of all, thank you for starting this! 

I am curious if other campuses are also hesitant to start monitoring their pantry spaces such as a check-in system and staffing? We have student staff that manage inventory, keep the space clean and accessible, and monitor notes left on a white board but otherwise we don’t keep track of who/how many are using it. The con of course is assessment data but it also allows for a low barrier for students who are nervous about accessing what is available. 

I would also like to hear if others include a clothing closet or clothing swap in their spaces. We have students who want to start this but I’ve been advised it is a logistical nightmare to keep up. I would appreciate hearing more experiences!

Thank you

——————————
Jenn Cook
Leadership and Community Engagement
Western Washington University
Bellingham WA
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[William St. Jean]

Hello!

We utilize our student engagement platform, CampusGroups, to track student visitors.? Our data is pretty segregated and access to it is limited.? Staff, faculty, and community users are asked for an email for tracking usage.? We have received very little apprehension from visitors to share this info.? Our on campus dining department provides us access to their food inventory software, Yellow Dog, and we use that to track incoming and outgoing food and clothing.

We do have a clothing closet that is open daily when our pantry is open focusing on career/professional clothing and winter wear (we are in Western NY!).? Usage is lower than the pantry but definitely increases prior to career fairs and at the beginning and end of semesters as students are preparing for jobs, internships, and co-ops.??

I’m excited to learn more about all the great work being done!

Thank you!

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William St. Jean
Associate Director
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester NY
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——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 05-05-2023 13:23
From: Jenn Cook
Subject: Monitoring/Assessment

Hello everyone, 

First of all, thank you for starting this! 

I am curious if other campuses are also hesitant to start monitoring their pantry spaces such as a check-in system and staffing? We have student staff that manage inventory, keep the space clean and accessible, and monitor notes left on a white board but otherwise we don’t keep track of who/how many are using it. The con of course is assessment data but it also allows for a low barrier for students who are nervous about accessing what is available. 

I would also like to hear if others include a clothing closet or clothing swap in their spaces. We have students who want to start this but I’ve been advised it is a logistical nightmare to keep up. I would appreciate hearing more experiences!

Thank you

——————————
Jenn Cook
Leadership and Community Engagement
Western Washington University
Bellingham WA
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