As we begin the 2023-2024 academic year, it seems an appropriate time to stop and celebrate all that has been accomplished over the past year. With a week remaining, we have already given out one ton more food and have served more students than in any previous year. As of the time of writing, 44,213.46 lbs. pounds have been distributed. We increased the number of fresh foods available and focused on stocking milk and eggs to provide a more rounded diet. Through a generous gift, we were also able to add our first morning SOP hours to provide more opportunities for students to utilize the pantry during their hectic schedules.  

This summer, we also took an opportunity to relocate the SOP into our Smith Campus Ministries Center, located in the heart of UNC Greensboro. By partnering with the school to provide free parking options, we hope this move will allow greater access to all UNCG students and staff and provide additional support for Greensboro College students alongside the Pride Pantries on the GC campus. The move increases the SOP’s distribution space and provides us with an additional office and processing space for incoming food. Students begin in a larger dry goods room, allowing for better viewing of available items, and then move to a refrigeration room where toiletries are also available. This extra space will allow us to add commercial refrigeration and a merchandising freezer in the coming months.

In our move to campus, we want to celebrate the incredible gift College Place UMC gave us in hosting the SOP,  providing space for our meals, and raising food and funds at no cost to the pantry for a decade. Their generosity is responsible for thousands of students receiving the support they so desperately need. The move will not end the SOP’s partnership with College Place, and we look forward to new programs already being developed.

Our most exciting news as we wrap up the 2022-2023 year is our approval as a full partner of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwestern NC. This partnership will allow the pantry to access low-cost food that will be transformational to the pantry. It also allowed for the SOP’s first-ever grocery store partnership with Lidl. Starting August 7, the SOP will receive weekly food donations from Lidl, from breads to frozen meats. This will help bring us closer to our goal and ensure that every Spartan can access the food they need to live a healthy and active lifestyle. 

We are so incredibly thankful for everyone who has supported and partnered with the Spartan Open Pantry. None of this would be possible without incredible neighbors like you.