Maverick Pantry sits on South Center Street on Sept. 10. Students are able to shop for free food, toiletry items and school supplies using their Mav IDs.
Maverick Pantry is a free resource for students, faculty and staff where they can shop for food, among other necessary things.
Funded by donations and relationships with organizations like Tarrant Area Food Bank and Kroger, the pantry aims to help students with their basic needs.
Michelle Kelly, health and wellbeing assistant vice president, said that the pantry offers a wide range of items including perishable and nonperishable foods, toiletries, school supplies and childcare items.
“All of it is free,” Kelly said. “It’s just meant to be a resource to help students save money related to some of their basic needs.”
She said there’s a website that provides specific hours and alternative options for those who might not be able to make an appointment, as well as other information.
People who shop at the Maverick Pantry are encouraged to bring reusable bags, as it is a bag-free department. The pantry relies on donations.
Visits to the pantry are appointment-based. Administrative assistant Maria Gowans said that students can make an appointment every 30 days using a software called PantrySoft.
“All they need to do is just bring in their Mav ID and a reusable grocery tote bag, and they can come in to shop,” said Courtney Liang, UTA alumna and emergency assistance coordinator.
Liang said that the Maverick Pantry is important because it ensures students have the nutrition they need to succeed, noting that it can be hard to concentrate when hungry.
“I’ve been there before, and I do not want to have anyone go through that,” she said.
Beyond food, Liang said that getting rid of the stress of locating basic living needs and school supplies gives students the chance to prioritize other things.
“To have our department here to help alleviate some of those struggles, I count that as a win and an honor,” she said.
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