LUSU Pantry Returns to Help Students in Need
Thursday 25-01-2024 - 11:22
Written by Josh Newsham
Josh is Vice President Welfare at LUSU. Josh is instrumental in fighting for cost-of-living support which is accessible to all students at Lancaster University.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues, and access to much-needed funding dries up, we have been working across the Union to campaign for cost-of-living support for you.


Last year, LUSU introduced a range of cost-of-living support for students including the successful LUSU Pantry. The Pantry is a registered foodbank on campus, and devastatingly lost its funding from the University at the end of the year.


We know that students are still struggling, and managed to free up small amounts of limited Union charity funds to cover the pantry costs at key times throughout the beginning of first term, but we're always aware that this was not sustainable or a long-term solution.
This year, thanks to the tireless efforts by your President, VP Welfare, the Full-Time Officer team, and Union staff, we are proud to announce that The LUSU Pantry has returned and has been stocked up again for students in need, for this term.


As with Supper Club, part of the new agreement we reached with the University is around evaluation and informing future proposals with data. With this data we can prove how valuable the Pantry is as a resource. 


We encourage any students in need to use The Pantry. All we ask is when you arrive at the pantry you give your student ID number to our Welcome Desk staff who are here to help. We are keen to ensure our pantry continues as a stigma-free and accessible service, so rest assured - this data won't be added to your record, or used against you in any way. This new process is to ensure we can prove to the University that students really need the pantry and to allow us to offer you more support.


The Pantry is not just about food and cupboard essentials. We are also using additional Union funds to supplement the pantry with wellbeing resources, at no cost to you - like sanitary products, stop tops, and hygiene essentials. 

You can also visit our Wellbeing Hub for information on what support is available. 


Your Full-Time Officer team continue to campaign and lobby for more cost-of-living support for students, join us in our efforts to #SaveOurSupper.
