Forks Up for Pitchfork Pantry!

You have probably heard about or even lived the “broke college student” life. This popular stereotype often conjures images of young adults juggling class, checking their bank accounts, and surviving solely on ramen and caffeine. While it’s frequently used as comedic relief, this lifestyle is a harsh reality for thousands of low-income college students nationwide. For them, ramen isn’t just cheap comfort food; it’s all they can afford.

At Arizona State University, students launched Pitchfork Pantry in 2017 with a mission to improve student nutrition and well-being. What started in a small dorm room has become a student-led food pantry that supports the community with access to fresh and non-perishable food, hygiene items, and clothing. Today, Pitchfork Pantry has since evolved into an official ASU club across all four campuses. At the Tempe campus, the pantry shares space with the First United Methodist Church.

In March, the pantry reached another significant milestone by becoming an official United Food Bank partner. Before this partnership, the pantry served over 2,000 students a month across all four campuses. With increased support, the pantry anticipates expanding its reach. Behind that impact are passionate people who have been part of the pantry’s growth.

Meet Bailey Holmes. As a Barrett Honors College senior, she is majoring in chemistry, minoring in psychology, and earning a law and human behavior certificate. Once she graduates, she has big ambitions to pursue her master’s and PhD and hopes to work in chemical research and teaching.

She started volunteering with Pitchfork Pantry during her first year because she wanted to get involved on campus. But what began as a volunteer opportunity quickly grew into something more meaningful. As a college student, she understands how hard and demanding it is to be a student today.

Temple University’s Hope Center says 23% of undergraduate students experience food insecurity. Meanwhile, Feeding America indicates that nearly 39% of students nationwide are considered low-income. Behind these numbers, students try to balance working one to two jobs, keeping up with school and maintaining a consistent schedule. So, when food becomes uncertain, it can seriously affect a student’s academic performance and physical and mental well-being. This is when Pitchfork Pantry and United Food Bank step in.  

“Some people who experience food insecurity are working one to two jobs; they’re in classes all day and lab. They’re doing a million things. The last thing they want to do is to cook themselves something, let alone think if it’s nutritious enough,” explained Holmes.

Now serving as Co-Director of Pitchfork Pantry alongside Abby Noel, Holmes is passionate about creating a welcoming, judgment-free space for anyone in need. Her focus is on breaking down stigma and fostering an empathetic students-helping-students culture.

“We don’t shame anyone for coming in here,” said Holmes. “It does not matter what you look like, what your background is, what is going on, whether your faculty, whether you’re a student, anything like that. If you need food, we are doing our best to supply it to you.”

Maureen McCoy, a nutrition professor at ASU and faculty advisor of Pitchfork Pantry, has played a key role in guiding its mission from day one. She firmly believes no student should choose between eating and succeeding in school.

“Worrying about where they will receive their next meal should be the last thing a college student should think about,” said McCoy. “If we can give them this amazing experience where they don’t have to worry about food, so instead, they focus on learning.”

With her background in nutrition and dedication to student wellness, McCoy brings academic insight to the pantry. She sees how many students, especially those who seek support from Pitchfork Pantry, struggle with basic life skills like cooking, financial literacy, and understanding how to make healthy, affordable food choices. With Pitchfork Pantry, McCoy believes that food assistance is just the beginning. By aiding students and providing resources, she hopes students feel supported and become more independent when they graduate.

“I think, trying to find ways to support students in different ways that destigmatize and give them back more parts of their day,” explained McCoy. “But helping them expand their cooking skills, financial viability, nutritional knowledge and stretching their food dollar is a big piece too.”

Anyone can experience food insecurity, including college students. There is a common misconception that students pursuing higher education are automatically privileged, so college student hunger is often overlooked.

Many students fight every day to break the generational cycle of poverty. Receiving an education is essential to this. So, when hunger becomes a daily reality, it threatens their health and future.

But thanks to United Food Bank’s supporters like you, students can focus on school, not hunger! To learn more about ways you can help us support local food pantries like Pitchfork Pantry, visit our website at unitedfoodbank.org/donate/

For further reading on the impacts of college student hunger, read our previous article: UFB Changes the Narrative on Getting Food Assistance

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