by Xypher Pino

On October 17, Greensboro College celebrated the grand opening of the Pride Pantry Headquarters (HQ) – GC’s newest food insecurity resource on campus. On top of having the three food lockers in Greensboro Hall, West Hall and in the Global Communication Center the Pride Pantry HQ will serve as an additional resource for students to access. The Pride Pantry HQ, located at the Student Center in front of the Pride Shop, will be an official walk-in space that will be able to provide a wider variety of items for students.  

Numerous students and staff and faculty were in attendance for the celebration, and it was such a pleasure seeing the GC community come together to celebrate this tremendous accomplishment. Key individuals such as Leslie Garvin, the executive director of NC Campus Engagement (NCCE), Dr. Dan Malotky, the provost of GC and vice president for academic affairs and Shana Plasters, dean of students, came out and showed their support for the Pride Pantry. 

The Collegian had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Robert Brewer, campus chaplain and founder of the Pride Pantry, about the Pride Pantry HQ. When asked what this new food insecurity resource means for GC, Brewer stated, “This pantry gives us a more accessible option for storing food and a resource for students to receive a greater variety of food and supplies.” 

“I knew that we had students who were food insecure and there was not anything on campus for combating that problem. I wanted there to be a resource that was easily accessible for the students. A hungry student will suffer academically; this is a resource not just for students to gain food but also, in a way, helps students excel in their college life. GC is a community that not only educates students, but also helps students succeed in life, and the Pride Pantry is one resource that does that.” 

The Pride Pantry credits the Hunger Challenge for being able to set up this new food resource on campus. The Hunger Challenge is a statewide competition amongst different colleges in NC hosted by NCCE and is sponsored by Food Lion Feeds. Last year, during the 2023 Hunger Challenge, GC came home with the $10,000 grand prize after beating 11 other colleges in the competition. This initiative on campus was led by the Pride Pantry and as Brewer states, “If it was not for the challenge, it would have been extremely difficult to gain leverage to get this spot and actually have the funds to be able to stock and set this place up.” 

The Pride Pantry HQ is open every weekday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is freely accessible for all students. It is located at the Student Center, right in front of the Pride Shop. If you would like to volunteer for the Pride Pantry, contact rbrewer@greensboro.edu or stop by at the Pride Pantry HQ and simply ask how you can help.