Bearcats Pantry (BCP) & Resource Center

UC students are what's next, and to accomplish what's next, sometimes it takes a little extra. That's what BCP is for. Whether it's coffee, mac and cheese, pens, or a suit to wear to an interview, it's whatever it takes to give it all you've got. BCP. Power for next.


1,434

Bearcats served from August 22, 2022 to March 22, 2023

The BCP and Resource Center has been used by 1,434 individuals a total of 5,177 times. 

Mission and Vision 

The BCP and Resource Center’s mission is to assist students with resources in an effort to cut down their grocery bills and promote wellness and independence. The BCP is designed to provide supplemental support options to the various insecurities facing students and the Bearcat community. 

The BCP has a vision to become a premier resource center example for public, urban college campuses. We aim to provide students with a robust network of support systems that will allow them to be healthy, independent, and successful. We believe no student at the University of Cincinnati should suffer due to lack of basic needs. 

How to Use the Bearcats Pantry

The UC Bearcats Pantry (BCP) and Resource Center provides free food, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and professional clothing to students of all backgrounds with food and other insecurities. 

UC Blue Ash and UC Clermont both have pantry services operated by staff on those campuses. 

The BCP is operating as a walk-in service.  Access is limited to 1-4 student, faculty, or staff members at a time. All visitors are required to wear a mask and use hand sanitizer before entering the pantry. BCP staff members regularly sanitize the shared surfaces. Please bring reusable bag if possible. 

BCP User Guidelines:

  • Limit of 4 people at a time. All others must wait in the hallway.
  • You must show a valid UC ID for entrance. 
  • Intake form must be completed upon arrival. If completed on the phone, the confirmation email with time stamp must be shown. 
  • Masks are required. 

Hours and Closures

The BCP is open on a walk-in basis, no appointment is necessary. Service is limited to 1-4 visitors at a time. MASKS REQUIRED. As of October 6th, there is a weight limit of 15 lbs per person per visit. This is to ensure that food is equally distributed and that there's enough for everyone. 

Upcoming Closures:

The BCP will remain open over spring break with limited hours. They will be as follows:

Monday: CLOSED

Tuesday 10AM-2PM

Wednesday: 2PM-6PM

Thursday: CLOSED

Friday: 12PM-2PM 

Spring 2023 Hours

Spring Semester Hours (starting Monday January 9th)

Monday 12-6PM

Tuesday 9AM-1PM

Wednesday 12-6PM

Thursday 9AM-1PM

Friday 12-2PM


Location

The Bearcats Pantry (BCP) and Resource Center is located in Stratford Heights Building 16 Rm 007. There is no proof of need required. Please bring a reusable bag if possible! 

Driving Directions

If you are driving on Clifton Ave, turn onto Straight Street then right onto Stratford Ave. If you pass the Deacon building you've gone too far. Building 16 is on the turn around with a dark awning over the door. If you are driving, you may also pull up to the building from Stratford Ave. and park in the turn-around while you visit. If you are on foot, walk to the bottom of the Stratford Heights sidewalk ramp and the building will be on your left. 

Electronic door buttons are available to enter. The pantry is located on the lower level, which can be accessed via the stairs to the left of the main entrance or the elevator to the right of the main entrance.

To-Go Locations

BCP To-Go bags are located at various sites around campus. After locating a site, you will be directed to a specific office. Tell the person in the office that you are here for a BCP To-Go bag. After completing the intake survey, you will be given a prepackaged food bag. 

  • College of Arts and Sciences-  Suite 114 Arts and Sciences Building
  • College of Arts and Sciences- Advising Desk, 2nd Floor of French Hall West
  • College of Engineering and Applied Sciences - 665 Baldwin Hall, Suite I
  • College of Education, Criminal Justice, & Human Services - Student Services Center, 360 Teachers-Dyer Complex
  • College of Allied Health Sciences - G60 Health Science Building
  • College of Medicine - E-450 Medical Sciences Building
  • College of Nursing - 213 Proctor Hall
  • College of Pharmacy - 169 Kowalewski Hall
  • UC Police Department - 3 Edwards Center
  • UC Blue Ash Student Food Pantry - Academic Advising Office

Career Closet

The Career Closet is part of the main BCP Resource Center and offers free professional clothing to students who are preparing for interviews, internship experiences, or professional classroom presentations. There is a variety of clothing items including suit jackets, pants, ties, dresses, blazers, shoes and other accessories. When a student picks out an outfit, it is theirs to keep.

The Career Closet operates by appointment. Please schedule an appointment through this link

Please note the following policies:

  • Students can use the Career Closet 3 times per semester. Special circumstances will be considered on an as-needed basis. 
  • You must show your student ID when you arrive. Closet users can skip the BCP line but if you would like food after the closet, you will need to get back in line. 
  • If you register for an appointment and do not show up, that will count as a visit and may jeopardize your ability to use the closet in the future. If you are not going to attend or can no longer make it, you must unregister. 
  • You MUST clean up after yourself and put all clothing and accessories back in the correct place. Failure to do so may jeopardize your ability to use the closet moving forward. 
  • Masks are required. 

Additional Resources

  • Locker Rooms - Bag storage and the use of showers is available on the bottom level in the Campus Recreation Center.
  • Microwaves - General use microwaves are available in Tangeman University Center (TUC) in the 2nd floor food court area. 
  • Tenant Info Project (TIP) - Provides legal information to callers concerning landlord/tenant law. Call (513) 556-0053 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday.

Community Partners

We are so thankful to partner with different organizations in the Cincinnati community and on campus to provide food and resources within the BCP. A special thanks to:

On Campus:

  • The Facilities Management team
  • Dining Services 
  • The Division of Student Affairs 
  • The University bookstore 
  • CEES 
  • International Affairs 
  • RED 
  • Undergraduate Student Government
  • Graduate Student Government 
  • And so many more!

Community: 

  • The Freestore Food Bank 
  • Last Mile Food Rescue
  • La Soupe
  • Society of St. Andrew
  • Bruegger's Bagels

Contact

Headshot of Bearcats Pantry

Bearcats Pantry

513-556-3780

  • Daniel S. Cummins - Assistant Dean of Students
  • Joy Kostansek - Program Coordinator
  • Idre'sia Leavell, Student Assistant

Bearcats Pantry News

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