At the College of Chemistry, it's not rare to see students rushing between classes, but often one isn't thinking about how these students are getting their next meal. One particular afternoon, however, an Undergraduate Adviser shared a concerning story with a development officer about a student that had struggled to focus on their exam because they hadn’t eaten. This moment sparked the idea of creating a community kitchen at the College to help students who faced similar challenges.
During a campus visit, the story reached donors Darwin and Donna Poulos, who were both deeply moved by the issue of food insecurity at the College. Thanks to their donation, the kitchen became a reality. The space, maintained by Undergraduate Student Services staff, are regularly stocked with fresh, nutritious grab-and-go snacks that students can easily access between classes.
Now, students have come to rely on the community kitchen. "The support needed for this wonderful resource for our students is ongoing," said Zareen Khan, Associate Director with Development and Alumni Relations. "With continued funding, the project can address food insecurity for students at the chemistry complex all year round."
