Creating a hungry-free campus
August 24, 2022
Courtesy photo
In front on left, Student Resource Navigator Cami Hartman greets students to the newly opened Lobo Food Pantry during Welcome Back Week at Klauer Campus.
Photo by Enrico Trujillo
Pictured are the 2021-22 Student Government Association officers who made the Lobo Food Pantry a mission. From L-R: Treasurer Emily Brown; Sen. Jonnea Trujillo; Secretary Sydnie Pino; Sen. Sandra Ortiz Baca; Staff Advisor Chenoa Velarde; President Kayl Rainer; Sen. Jordan Miera; and Vice President Laura Neubert.
As we all know, inflation has sent food prices through the roof. That doesn’t mean our students, faculty, and staff have to keep struggling to nourish their bodies and minds.
The Lobo Food Pantry is open and ready to assist our campus. If you are at Klauer and in need of a snack, food to take home, or other necessities, stop by the Lobo Food Pantry located in front of the main entrance to Fred Peralta Hall, or contact Cami Hartman, Student Resource Navigator, at 575.737.3697.
"In recent years, there has been an increased prevalence and awareness of food insecurity across the nation and among college students," Hartman said. In reference to the UNM 2021 Basic Needs report, Hartman added that 25.6% of students reported being food insecure, and nationally, only 14% access support.
UNM-Taos' ultimate goal is to create a hunger-free campus where no one goes without food. The aim is to provide a stigma-free approach to feeding students, faculty, and staff. We celebrate each other by sharing food and at the same time support a healthy campus and community.
“It is our aim to improve students’ academic performance, but we also know food security will help in the lives of students who have children or other dependents, help to reduce grocery expenses, therefore, allowing income to go to other necessities, and contribute to a healthier campus and community,” Hartman said.
By offering a food pantry and stop-n-go stations across campus, Hartman hopes students will take a moment to learn about helpful resources. Examples include signing up for EBT/SNAP benefits, Medicaid, getting other financial support, and well-being workshops.
UNM-Taos understands that good nutrition supports overall good health and impacts learning and academic success. Stress caused by being food insecure can have a detrimental effect on mental health and the ability to function.
“We strive to support our community by offering higher education opportunities and therefore improve overall community health,” Hartman said. “By improving educational outcomes, we also improve health, social, and economic outcomes. At UNM-Taos, we have a track record of success and we have a initiative to create a ‘caring campus.’ By initiating a caring campus, it means we care about the well-being of each other and we know how important that is to carry back to our homes and community. As we mirror a caring campus outward, we improve student enrollment, course success, persistence and completion, and racial equity and achievement. We understand by implementing this strategy, all of the people we serve will have better outcomes. We have the ability to change lives.”
Special thanks to 2021-22 Student Government and President Kayl Rainer, and Hartman for leading this initiative on Klauer campus. See attachments for acceptable donations, to learn more about food insecurity, an option to sign up for EBT/SNAP benefits, and how UNM-Taos is helping. news/2022/sga-food-pantry.pdf news/2022/end-hunger1.pdf news/2022/acceptable-donations-list.pdf
