HOUSTON – Lone Star College-University Park is not allowing COVID-19 to stop its fight against student food insecurity. The college is announcing a partnership with the United Network for Collegiate Pantry Sharing (UNCPS). Through local restaurants, UNCPS will provide short-term food relief at no cost to LSC-University Park students experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic.

Like most colleges and universities across the country during the spring 2019 semester, LSC-University Park transitioned its classes to online formats and support services to a virtual environment to help slow the spread of COVID-19. However, some previously provided on-campus resources like food pantries required more innovative approaches and partnerships.

Thanks to an introduction by LSC-University Park Professor of Business Maurica Vickerson, and after signing a formal MOU with UNCPS, meals will be provided through restaurant pickup and delivery orders free of charge to eligible students through the donations of generous individuals, foundations, corporations and public funds.

“Food insecurity was a national challenge and a harsh reality for many of our students before COVID-19, but is even more of a stressor now,” said Dr. Shah Ardalan, LSC-University Park president. “Not knowing where one’s next meal is coming from can hinder any individual from achieving his or her full potential. Our partnership with UNCPS is particularly attractive because it doesn’t cost the college or the students anything while addressing a critically important need during these challenging times for those who need it the most. It is also a very innovative approach as it will help our local restaurants, too.”

UNCPS was founded in January 2020, only a few short months before the start of pandemic closures in the U.S. As LSC-University Park makes plans to deliver the majority of summer and fall courses in an online setting, this innovative food insecurity option will be invaluable to thousands of students.

LSC-University Park is among the first 10 colleges working with UNCPS. As COVID-19 pushed restaurants to curbside and limited capacity operations, UNCPS focused on local restaurants to further support the communities around their partner colleges. UNCPS has networked with over 100 locally-owned restaurants in those areas. UNCPS and restaurants collaborate on what an ideal, balanced meal will look like for students and incorporate dietary restriction options. 

“Food insecurity is often an impediment to a student’s ability to even finish a semester,” said Curtis E. Stephens, UNCPS chief operating officer. “We wanted to take an innovative approach to a longstanding problem and build an accessible digital platform. Education is the key to getting out of poverty. In the long term, we are building a resistant food network for students with our colleges and local restaurant partners to ensure students can master their courses and find success.”

LSC-University Park has encouraged students to review the program’s frequently asked questions document and then apply for the service. Based on set criteria, UNCPS qualifies candidates for the free meal service and connects with those students to begin meal distribution. The UNCPS Remote Nutrition Service Program recipients have a family income below 125% of the federally established poverty level for their family size. Resources for students’ families are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Donations and student sponsorships from local contributions and around the U.S. support the meal purchases so that students and colleges do not incur a cost. Meals are provided to UNCPS at a discounted rate. UNCPS is gathering feedback from students, colleges, restaurants and donors to continue improving the service and experience and guarantee that the students’ best interest is always at the forefront.

The UNCPS partnership is the latest effort in LSC-University Park’s battle against food insecurity. In January, the college opened Leo’s Shelf, an on-site food pantry designed to serve campus community members with free grab-and-go meals and snacks, as well as nonperishable pantry items and personal hygiene products.

In 2018, the college hosted a SNAP Challenge for faculty, staff, students and community members to raise awareness of food insecurity among college students and the community. The challenge asked participants to attempt to live on a food budget of $6.40 per day for five days to experience firsthand the constraints of purchasing food with only aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

LSC-University Park has also welcomed the Houston Food Bank (HFB) Mobile Food Pantry and sponsored several other food-insecurity initiatives.The HFB Mobile Food Pantry acts as a farmers market on wheels, delivering over 12,500 pounds of fresh fruit and produce to students, employees and community members. During the last Mobile Food Pantry’s visit, 1,094 family members were served in just three hours.

Visit UNCPS.com to sponsor meals for students and to learn more about their Remote Nutrition Service Program. To learn more about LSC-University Park, or to register for fall classes, visit LoneStar.edu/UP.