Big Blue Pantry Stocks up for Students
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 20, 2020) — The University of Kentucky’s Big Blue Pantry will remain accessible this semester with minor adjustments to comply with social-distancing guidelines.
The mission of the Big Blue Pantry is to provide support and awareness for food insecure students across campus, as well as to educate the broader student population about hunger. Any UK student, with a valid UK ID, is eligible to receive goods from the pantry.
Adjustments to format include:
- masks will be mandatory for entry;
- having only one patron permitted in the space at a time;
- staff working to keep interactions with patrons as low-touch as possible;
- the pantry will continue to provide pre-packed bags to patrons; and
- in addition to the pre-packed bag, patrons will have the option to add some additional items including perishable food and hygiene products.
Typical bag contents include:
- variety canned vegetables;
- canned protein (chicken, fish, pork, beef);
- breakfast items (oatmeal, granola bars, cereal);
- packaged fruit (fruit cups, applesauce, etc.);
- variety bagged/boxed rice;
- variety bagged/boxed pasta;
- variety sauces and condiments;
- variety seasonings and spices;
- baking mixes (muffins, biscuits, pancakes, etc.);
- macaroni, ravioli, soups;
- peanut butter and jelly; and
- variety cooking oil.
Specific bag contents will vary based on availability of items.
Add-on items include:
- Perishable items:
- fruit (apples, bananas, oranges);
- vegetables (potatoes, carrots, celery);
- dairy (milk, butter, yogurt);
- eggs; and
- bread (loaf, tortillas, naan, etc.).
- Hygiene items:
- toilet paper, paper towels, tissues;
- tooth brushes and tooth paste;
- deodorant;
- shampoo, conditioner, body wash; and
- hand soap and more.
Add-on options will vary based on item availability.
Hours of operation will be as follows:
- Monday: 1 to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday: 2 to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday: 1 to 5 p.m.
- Thursday: 2 to 6 p.m.
- Friday: 1 to 5 p.m.
The Big Blue Pantry is located in the White Hall Classroom Building lower level in room 025. If you are unable to stop by during the hours listed above, please send an email to schedule an appointment at bigbluepantry@gmail.com.
The Big Blue Pantry opened its doors in 2014, annually continuing to grow in number of visitors and meals provided. The pantry is funded by third parties and monetary donations.
To make a donation to the Big Blue Pantry Gift Fund, please visit this website. To learn more about the pantry, please visit https://www.uky.edu/concern/big-blue-pantry.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.