As the cost of living across Dublin continues to soar, UCD Welfare Officer Emilia O’Hagan sets forth plans to open a food pantry to encourage sustainability and relieve financial insecurity amongst students.
UCD Welfare Officer Emilia O’Hagan has confirmed the opening of a food pantry in UCD to create relief for students who are under pressure from the affordability crisis. The project is facing some logistical challenges in terms of finding a permanent location, so is expected to begin moving around UCD buildings during semester one.
This comes in the wake of the reversal of college fee reductions, as well as the rapid increase in the cost of living throughout the country. As new students begin to flood into UCD, some are worried that, despite accepting their place in the university, they may not be in a financial position to carry out their studies.
The food pantry, which is being set up in the name of fighting food poverty amongst students and improving sustainability, will be used mainly on a referral basis. Restaurants and shops within UCD will be encouraged to deliver spare food to the pantry for students to take free of charge. It will also hold non-perishable foods such as pasta and tinned food, and will have recipes available to look at, which will be provided by the HSE.
Speaking to the University Observer, UCDSU President Michael Roche commented that it’s important that there is no stigma around using the food pantry, but also noted that he does not want it to be set up in the student centre atrium as it should be in a more discreet location.
UCDSU's plans for a food pantry are bringing hope to students. In a survery carried out by the University Observer, while many students who responded were not aware of the programme, those who did respond overwhelmingly believed that not only was it a good idea, but that it was necessary in today’s economy.