Zips support their fellow students by volunteering in the Campus Cupboard

University of Akron (UA) students are getting involved through volunteer opportunities with the Campus Cupboard, helping support their fellow students. Through the Campus Cupboard, students log volunteer hours and give back to their campus community in an impactful way.

UA's Campus Cupboard, part of the University's ZipAssist office, provides all enrolled students with access to the necessities of daily life. Programs and resources provided by the Campus Cupboard include a food pantry, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) support, a Campus Community Garden, gently used professional clothing, menstrual supplies and the Roo-Store, which has low-priced furniture and household items. The Campus Cupboard also offers six grab-and-go locations across campus, online grocery ordering and large-scale food distributions through the Summit Fresh Mobile Market.

The Cupboard is always in need of volunteers to help maintain daily operations and with various initiatives and events. Student volunteers can assist in restocking food and hygiene items in the pantry, and provide support for monthly food distributions, the Summit Fresh Mobile Market, garden maintenance and the Roo-Store.

With the help of student volunteers, the Campus Cupboard operates like a well-oiled machine, providing support to students who need extra assistance.

"Having volunteers takes the burden off of [staff]," said Heather Barhorst, senior assistant director in the ZipAssist office and manager of the Campus Cupboard program. "Several days a week, they help scan barcodes, organize shelves, clean up and sanitize things, which has been tremendously helpful. It just goes more smoothly. Everything is efficient and it's more fun because everyone is paired off into groups and meeting other people. We have more time to be personal."

Individual students, as well as student organizations, are encouraged to take advantage of accessible on-campus volunteer opportunities, of which the Campus Cupboard is one. Sonnie Emmerling, a freshman psychology major, quickly became involved in volunteering with the Campus Cupboard.

"It's an easy way to volunteer. It can be hard to go and volunteer out and around Akron, especially because I'm not from around here. I saw a note in Zipmail about volunteering in the Campus Cupboard and I thought, why not? And I just kept going because I liked it," said Emmerling. "I volunteer because I could be sitting in my bed, or I could be helping people who are going to come in and need food. I know how it feels to struggle and to feel those negative types of emotions, so I take my energy and use it towards something good instead of doing pointless activities."

Logan Simas, a history major, is another freshman student who has taken advantage of the on-campus volunteer opportunities. As a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, he needs volunteer hours. Volunteering at the Campus Cupboard works around his busy academic and social schedule. Flexible scheduling means students can volunteer between classes or around other commitments, and there is always work that needs to be done.

"I got involved through the serveAkron portal. It's easy to reserve times to volunteer, and because I don't have a car on campus, it's really nice that we have these volunteer opportunities right here on campus," Simas said. "I try to find a schedule and find a slot that works perfectly for me. Every time I get my class schedule, I look at it, find a gap, and try to make volunteering a habit."

That schedule flexibility and accessibility of the Campus Cupboard's volunteer opportunities are what make serving the community all the more easy.

"It's a great way to give back to our campus community and make sure that all students have access to the food they need," said Simas. "It's also a great way for people in my position to feel like they're making a difference and help make campus a better place in general. Community, I believe, is one of the most important things we have, and it's important that everyone in our community feels comfortable. I like to do what I can in order to help bring that to fruition."

For Emmerling, the experience has also created opportunities to connect with other students while giving back.

"I fully recommend volunteering," said Emmerling. "It's not exhausting work and it's fun. I've met two girls who I talk to every time I'm there. I think it's a way for you to meet people. You're doing an activity. You're keeping your body moving. You're doing good for others. I feel like it's just all around a good experience."

Story by UA graduate student Emma Wharton

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