Skip to Main Content Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Footer
UNG Logo
  • Info For...
    • Accepted Students
    • Current Students
    • Parents & Family
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Business & Community
    • International Students
  • Quicklinks
    • Directories
    • myUNG
    • Academic Catalogs
    • Athletics
    • Banner
    • Bookstore
    • Calendars
    • Campuses & Maps
    • Continuing Education
    • D2L
    • Employment / HR
    • IT Service Desk
    • Libraries
    • UNG Foundation
  • Admissions
  • Corps of Cadets
  • Academics
  • Cost & Aid
  • Student Life
  • News & Events
  • Athletics
  • About Us

Find the most up-to-date information on the Presidential Search site.

Newsroom
  • All Articles
  • Media Relations Contact
  • Expert Guide
  • Points of Pride
  • Magazine
  • Social Media
    1. UNG
    2. News

    Cumming Campus establishes a food pantry

    October 22, 2018
    The University of North Georgia's Cumming Campus officially opened its food pantry Sept. 19 after collecting non-perishable goods. Amanda Smith, front desk assistant for the Cumming Campus, is managing the food pantry, which is located near the front desk of the Student Resource Center.

    Article By: Staff

    In the past three years, three University of North Georgia (UNG) campuses — Dahlonega, Gainesville and Oconee — have opened a food pantry to help students, faculty and staff facing food insecurity issues. This fall, UNG's Cumming Campus has joined the effort.

    Amanda Smith, front desk assistant for the Cumming Campus, said the food pantry got started with one act from a Good Samaritan.

    "Somebody dropped off donations of food for us," Smith said, adding she was advised to call Dr. Carly Redding, organizer of the inaugural food pantry on the Gainesville Campus, about starting a food pantry in Cumming. "At the beginning of the semester, the campus started collecting donations."

    With enough non-perishable goods on hand after one month, the Cumming Campus officially opened its food pantry Sept. 19. Smith said now she is spreading the word.

    "Any students, staff or faculty member of UNG who is in need can get food from the pantry," Smith said.

    Food pantry hours are from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. The pantry is located near the front desk of the Student Resource Center on the Cumming Campus.

    Donations may be dropped off in bins on the main floor lobby. No volunteers are needed yet, but Smith said as word spreads and donations increase, she may need help in the future.

    Spreading the word about the food pantry on the Gainesville Campus is a tactic Dr. Caroline Munoz's class for social media marketing is tackling this fall. Her students are helping four local nonprofits increase their reach and engagement on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. One of the four is the Gainesville Campus Food Pantry.

    "The students will post and respond with consumers," Munoz said. "It's a lot of work, and the students are taking it seriously."

    She said the consistent interaction on social media can help boost awareness about the food pantries.

    The Gainesville Campus Food Pantry is not the only one experiencing a change. The Dahlonega Campus Food Pantry has a new manager. Sherry Parker, who has handled the pantry's paperwork since January 2017, is taking on extra duties such as promoting the pantry. It is work Parker is happy to do.

    "We see kids every day who are hungry … and it breaks your heart," she said, explaining the response from those who partake of the food is heart-warming. "The students, faculty and staff are so appreciative for the food pantry."

    The food pantry on the Oconee Campus, called "Nigel's Nest," also have a new development at this moment. Fresh squash and peas harvested from the community garden are available at the food pantry. The garden was established through an UNG LEAP Grant and students, faculty and staff work in the garden to grow and harvest the crops.

    "When there is more produce than the university community can absorb, it is sent to a local area food bank," said Dr. Gary Adcox, director of campus success and strategic initiatives on UNG's Oconee Campus. "The students already have plans to extend the garden next year with additional items."

    UNG food pantries

    Cumming

    Hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday

    Location: Near the front desk of the Student Resource Center

    More information: Contact Amanda Smith at Amanda.smith@ung.edu

    Dahlonega

    Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Tuesday

    Location: First floor of the Vickery House across the street from Hansford Hall and Price Memorial. .

    More information: Contact Sherry Parker at Sherry.Parker@ung.edu

    Gainesville

    Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday

    Location: Inside the Student Center next to the information desk

    More information: Contact Scott Hefner at SFHEFN0741@ung.edu

    Oconee

    Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesdays

    Location: Room 728 inside Bishop Wellness and Activities Hall

    More information: Contact Dr. Gary Adcox at gary.adcox@ung.edu or 706-310-6320.

    Contact the Author

    Event highlights impact of Cumming Campus

    Event highlights impact of Cumming Campus

    UNG hosted its inaugural Cumming Campus Backyard Bash on May 11. The event showcased the campus's impact and offered the community a chance to see progress on the campus expansion.
    Preston honored with pair of state awards

    Preston honored with pair of state awards

    UNG professor Dr. Tom Preston won two service awards for his work with UNG's Speech and Debate Club.
    Cypher named Fulbright Institute participant

    Cypher named Fulbright Institute participant

    UNG sophomore Mireille Cypher has been selected for the 2023 Fulbright UK Summer Institute in Glasgow, Scotland, where she will study biomedical technology.
    Student designs challenge coins for legislator

    Student designs challenge coins for legislator

    Junior Abby Colwell created the winning designs for state Rep. Will Wade's challenge coins. Each coin represents one of the counties Wade represents.

    UNG Logo
    • Contact Us
    • Request Information
    • Quick Facts
    • Campus Maps & Directions
    • Student Consumer Information
    • Campus Safety
    • Emergency Information
    • Employment/HR
    • UNG Policies & Procedures
    • UNG Alumni Association
    • UNG Foundation
    • Ethics & Compliance Hotline
    • Human Trafficking Notice
    • Equal Empl. Opportunity

    © 2023 The University System of Georgia and the University of North Georgia.

    UNG follows the section 508 Standards and WCAG 2.0 for web accessibility. If you require this content in another format, please send an email to the ADA Coordinator.

    Use of military-themed imagery does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense.

    • Accreditation
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy
    Establishing Connection...
    AskNigel