Chenoa Chavis, a Junior at UNCP volunteered at the CARE Resource Center to help fill care packages to be delivered to students in quarantine and isolation. PN Photo/Victoria Brousseau.
The CARE Resource Center has been helping to provide UNCP students and community members with food and professional clothing since 2013. Now CARE is aiding students moving into university-mandated isolation.
On Aug. 25, Andy Mendez, CARE Resource Center Assistant Manager, and several student volunteers put together 50 care packages for students in quarantine.
These bags included items such as plastic utensils, microwavable mac and cheese, ramen noodles, granola bars, chips, applesauce, and juice.
“The emergency food bag program is not new,” said the Office for Community and Civic Engagement Director Christie Poteet. “Outside of COVID-related incidents, these types of food bags are distributed across departments on campus who might interact with students facing food insecurity challenges.” Poteet further explains the food bag program has been an emergency support system for the last five years.
CARE is working with Housing and Residence Life to deliver these bags to students who need them while protecting students’ medical privacy. Poteet explains that even though students who have been moved into quarantine do receive delivered meals three times a day, the bags from CARE are meant to help supplement those meals or provide food in the event of a quick transition.