University of Bridgeport (UB) was proud to host representatives from Connecticut Foodshare and Stop & Shop for the opening of a new location of its campus food pantry, Knight’s Pantry, on February 21, 2024. The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony along with remarks from UB President Danielle Wilken, Connecticut Foodshare President Jason Jakubowski, and External Communications and Community Relations manager for Stop & Shop Dan Wolk.
The Knight’s Pantry initiative aims to address food insecurity among students, providing vital resources to ensure their well-being and academic success. The updated location is larger, with more room for food and other pantry staples, and more accessible to students. The move to this renovated space was supported by a grant from Connecticut Foodshare.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in the John J. Cox Student Center, with representatives from University of Bridgeport, Stop & Shop, and Connecticut Foodshare in attendance. Knight’s Pantry, an essential resource for students facing food insecurity, will now be easier for students to find and access with its new location. The Knight’s Pantry is supported through generous grants provided by:
- Connecticut Foodshare
- First County Bank Foundation, Inc.
- George A. & Grace L. Long Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee
- Stop & Shop
- Whole Foods Foundation
“I’m incredibly grateful to our partners from Stop & Shop and Connecticut Foodshare as they take this journey with us to meet the needs of students at University of Bridgeport who are food insecure,” shared Wilken.
“By opening these doors, you’re inviting students not to have to make a terrible choice that no human should have to make,” stated Jakubowski. Wolk echoed that sentiment, saying, “You can’t see hunger. You don’t always think of students when you think of hunger.”
The event marked the official opening of the new Knight’s Pantry location, which continues to serve as a symbol of UB’s ongoing dedication to supporting its students and fostering a campus environment where every individual can reach their full potential.
For more information about Knight’s Pantry and University of Bridgeport’s initiatives to support student success, visit www.bridgeport.edu.