UCO Central Pantry Case Study

Volunteer at UCO Central Pantry The University of Central Oklahoma central pantry is located in Nigh University Center in room 203 and it is open on Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm. It was officially opened on November 17th 2012. According to the Volunteer and Service Learning Centre at UCO, they found out from the food pantries across OKC community that a high number of UCO students utilized their services. Hence, the VSLC collaborated with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to open the first collegiate food pantry in the state of Oklahoma. The UCO central pantry intended to be used by students, faculty and staff members, who meet the Gross Income limits set forth by the Oklahoma Emergency For Food Assistant. All that is needed to
They include an individual’s SES, including income, employment, education as well as multiple factors such as community safety, affordable housing and food security. Examples of social determinants include: availability of resources to meet daily needs, such as educational and job opportunities, living wages or healthful foods. The UCO central pantry meets the educational opportunity and healthful food security. The pantry is like a grocery store because people can come in and pick up the things that they need. The central pantry has healthy options such as canned fruits and vegetables and canned or sealed packaged meats (Tuna, Chicken, Salmon, Vienna Sausages), peanut butter, rice, beans and mac and cheese, cereals, oatmeal and powdered milk. They offer food that includes a balanced diet. These foods help reduce the risk of obesity or chronic diseases related to bad eating habits. It also reduces the risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition can impair physical and mental health, which can result in trouble concentrating in school. Apart from food, it offers hygiene items such as shampoo/ conditions, toothbrushes and paste, bar soap and many more. It helps these people feel more socially accepted when they clean and feel part of the community. Hygiene is also imperative in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The UCO central pantry promotes health by providing both
This experience has encourage me to be more involved in my community by donating food or spending time at the pantry and serve because I got to see how many people are in need of help in the community we live in. This experience has lot benefits for my nursing practice because volunteering puts me at an advantage with future employers. It shows my employers that I am dedicated, passionate and involved by helping the venerable in my community. Another benefit of the experience is networking and being able to meet new people and being able to start conversations with strangers. The significance that this activity has on me is the fact that I am able to incorporate my knowledge gained in class and being able to practice it. I count it as a privilege to be able to help underprivileged people who do not know when their next meal is coming from. Overall, I believe that volunteering helps the spirit, mind and soul of the person volunteering. It gives the volunteer a source of purpose and responsibility. It is a great way to support a community and to meet new people. I feel that everyone should take time from his or her busy schedule and find time to volunteer, and look for something that they are passionate about. I am glad I got the privilege to volunteer, because I feel better about myself knowing that I helped others, and I look forward to many more