On Oct. 15, the University of Denver’s Food Pantry put on a fundraiser in partnership with Snarf’s Sandwiches. Located on Evans Ave., just a short walk from the west side of campus, Snarf’s is a popular spot for off-campus dining.

Their goal was to raise money to help provide for DU students facing food insecurity. During the fundraiser, not only could students enjoy their usual sandwich, but they could contribute to an important cause in the process. Any customer who showed an event flyer at the register had 20 percent of the proceeds from their meal donated to the DU food pantry.

With the DU Food Pantry being fully donor-funded, the organization benefits greatly from fundraisers such as this one.

“We want to cast a wider net and food drives do not bring in the amount of product needed to stock the food pantry,” said Beth Goad, Associate Director of Operations of Driscoll & Community Commons. Due to expired food items and limited space, Goad explains that standard food drives have “not garnered the results we were hoping for.”

The ultimate goal of the Food Pantry, in Goad’s words, is to “combat food insecurity on campus.” According to the organization’s website, one in nine Americans are considered food insecure and college students can be especially vulnerable to such insecurity. Being completely reliant on donations makes it even more difficult for the food pantry to support students who face this issue.

Fundraisers and community partnership are vital in supporting the organizations that maintain the wellbeing of our community. The Snarf’s event flyer reads, “Eat a sandwich, make a difference,” and through on-campus groups like the Food Pantry who work tirelessly to support DU students, a difference truly is being made.

The DU Food Pantry is located in Driscoll Commons Suite 6, and is open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., welcome to anyone with an active DU ID card.

To support the food pantry, you can:
– Link your King Soopers Community Rewards card to the DU Food Pantry and a percentage of all of your grocery shopping at King Soopers will be donated quarterly to the Food Pantry.
– Donate directly to the DU Food Pantry here: give.du.edu/dufoodpantry
– Volunteer with the DU Food Pantry. They publish their opportunities on Crimson Connect and The Bridge.