The spirit of generosity is always rewarded. The University of Akron’s community of donors and friends have richly shared that spirit with students during the COVID-19 pandemic, easing their hardships as they balance academic and financial demands.
The University offers two key programs – ZipAssist and Campus Cupboard -- to help students overcome food and economic security issues, problems that often lead to students withdrawing from school.
ZipAssist serves as a central information hub, intentionally designed to share available resources, and provide support and assistance to help students succeed. Since March, the officer has received more than 2,200 referrals for student seeking guidance with academic, tuition, personal or financial matters.
Campus Cupboard provides food and personal hygiene items to students facing immediate financial hardship concerns. Open to all enrolled students, donated non-perishable and perishable food and other items are available through Campus Cupboard locations in the Jean Hower Taber Student Union, Simmons Hall and the Polsky Building. In November, the program expanded to offer a grab-and-go location in the Bierce Library as well as branded the Wayne College pantry, marking six locations where students can access food through the program.
Under normal circumstances, the Campus Cupboard program, which includes grab-and-go cupboards throughout campus, a walk-in pantry and a request process, distributes approximately 1,500 items monthly. Amid the pandemic and closure of campus, the Campus Cupboard program quickly pivoted to find creative options to serve students and offer support. Between March and November, approximately 24,000 items were shared as a result of nearly 500 student requests.
“The University is one of Ohio’s leaders in terms of its robust emergency aid and food insecurity support programs, and that’s because of the kindness and willingness to help of the Zips community,” says Alison Doehring, director of Zip Assist. “This work is not possible without their generosity.”
To get involved or make donations to ZipAssist or the Campus Cupboard, visit uakron.edu/cupboard or contact Ali Doehring at aer15@uakron.edu.
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