Supporters give generously to the Bearcats Pantry and Resource Center

The Crosstown Foodout and Giving Tuesday have both helped to make a dent in food insecurity at the University of Cincinnati by supporting the Bearcats Pantry and Resource Center.

The BCP and Resource Center provides free food, hygiene items, professional clothing, and cleaning supplies to students with food and other insecurities, including assisting students with homelessness. During the past academic year, 2,263 individuals used the Bearcats Pantry and Resource Center with more than 9,300 visits. 

The pantry first opened in 2016. It moved into a larger, more modern space this February.  The Crosstown Foodout allowed court rivals, UC and Xavier University, to raise funds and awareness of food insecurity on both campuses the week prior to historic Crosstown Shootout rivalry between the men’s basketball teams at both schools.

Daniel Cummins, associate dean of students at UC, says $18,298 was raised the week of the UC-Xavier basketball match held Saturday, Dec. 5 for the Bearcats Pantry and Resource Center.  And on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, the pantry received $32,912.53 in monetary donations.

“The Bearcats Pantry and Resource Center has continually increased its service to more and more students every year,” explains Daniel Cummins, associate dean of students at UC. “The center is one of the most stable and consistent sources to meet the needs of students experiencing food insecurity.

“We know students are coming to Bearcat Nation with excitement and a passion to succeed in their field of study, “ says Cummins. “But if they face any challenges around food or financial insecurities or anything that creates unwanted stress they can reach out to the Pantry.”

College University Food Bank Association (CUFBA) states 30% of college students are food insecure and 17% have some form of housing insecurity. 

Local 12 News offered coverage of the Crosstown Foodout in a segment.

Learn more about the Bearcats Pantry and Resource Center online.

Featured top photo of the Bearcats Pantry and Resource Center. Photo/Ainsley Moore/ University of Cincinnati.