Since its inception in 2022, the Samford Food Pantry has been dedicated to addressing food insecurity among students across campus. This important work was recognized by the Orlean Beeson School of Education, in partnership with the Office of Student Success and Diversity, when the food pantry was presented with the Diversity Award for excellence at the 2025 Diversity Forum.
When asked why Samford CARES started a food pantry on campus, April Robinson, assistant vice president for student development and support, replied, “Jesus told his disciples, ‘Feed my sheep.’ This work is inspired by his words and informed by his model of seeing and caring for the whole person and not just one part.”
The need for a pantry on Samford’s campus was recognized after a national health assessment survey conducted in 2021 found that over 30% of Samford students reported experiencing some level of food insecurity. The pantry started small, housed in a vacant office on central campus and stocked by donations from faculty, staff, and Legacy League volunteers, and has grown significantly since it opened its doors over two years ago. Thanks to the support of the Robert Taylor Family, the pantry was relocated in 2023 to the new Samford CARES suite. In the 2024-25 academic year, the pantry received 122 visits, with 18% of those being first-time visits.
“Jesus told his disciples, ‘Feed my sheep.’ This work is inspired by his words and informed by his model of seeing and caring for the whole person and not just one part.”
Samford CARES promotes the pantry as a resource for students who need help with groceries, meals and personal care items. Students often face food insecurity for various reasons. Food is often one of the last expenses to get consideration when in crisis mode, but the Samford CARES staff is working to come alongside those students and ensure they have what they need to stay healthy and successful both personally and academically. It also features ready-to-eat frozen meals supplied by Grace Klein Community.
One student who was assisted by the pantry said, “I love this! This semester, I lowered my meal plan due to struggling to pay my college bills, and I needed small meals and snacks I could use for breakfast. I was able to grab just a few things to help cover the meals not covered by my meal plan.”
In the last academic year, Samford CARES began collaborating with Swipe Out Hunger. The goal of the campaign is to alleviate food insecurity among the student population by sharing and donating meal swipes to students who can’t afford to purchase them. The ability to add swipes to a student’s ID card is “a way to promote community and break down barriers while meeting a basic need. Meal swipes allow students to have access to the Caf or food court to hang out with friends and swipe their ID like everyone else,” said Robinson.
GIVE: Get involved with the Swipe Out Hunger campaign and donate meal swipes.
Katelyn Hayes, wellness coordinator, said that she is excited to continue growing the program and bringing dignity to the process of students asking for help. She is dedicated to promoting awareness of these resources and enhancing student wellness through education and engagement.
“If a student is hungry, it is hard for them to think, much less study. If a student cannot afford meal swipes, then they are less likely to eat with friends and benefit from a healthy meal and the experience of togetherness around the table. If a single student in need is unaware of these resources or hesitant about asking for help, then we still have work to do! Our goal is to emulate the hospitality and care that Jesus extended to all, but especially to the weary and weak, so that every student in need might feel welcomed and ultimately be well,” Hayes said.
The Samford CARES staff are quick to express their appreciation for the enthusiastic support they receive across campus. Volunteers from the Legacy League continue to support through donations and service. Certain graduate schools have also created space for small food pantries, where students can access food and learn more about the larger Samford Food Pantry and its expanded resources. The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics has created recipe cards for students based on the items found in the pantry, and the shelves remain stocked by the generous donations of Samford faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and friends.
If you are interested in helping to meet the needs of Samford students, consider donating to the Student Assistance Fund for Emergencies (S.A.F.E.). You can reach out to University Advancement or call 205-726-2331.
