Knights Pantry: Serving Students Through Basic Needs Support

Authors

• Kailimar Montanez, University of Central FloridaFollow
• Valentina Payares, University of Central FloridaFollow
• Tatiana Dickerson, University of Central FloridaFollow
• Siera Wells, University of Central FloridaFollow
• Joanna Sali, University of Central FloridaFollow

Streaming Media

Files

Course Code

LDR

Course Number

2002

Faculty/Instructor

Professor Esther Mandelbaum

Faculty/Instructor Email

esther.mandelbaum@ucf.edu

About the Author

We would like to thank Knights Pantry and its staff for providing us with the opportunity to serve and learn through this experience. We are especially grateful for the volunteers and team members who work consistently to support students and create a welcoming environment. Their dedication to addressing food insecurity on campus made this project meaningful and impactful. We also thank our instructor, Esther Mandelbaum, for their guidance and support throughout this service-learning experience.

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

This project focused on understanding and addressing food insecurity among students at the University of Central Florida through our experience with Knights Pantry. Our goal was to explore how Knights Pantry supports students in need and to see the impact it has on their well-being, academic success, and overall sense of community. As part of this project, we volunteered at the pantry by organizing and restocking items, helping maintain a welcoming space, and observing how students use the resource.

Through this experience, we saw just how many students rely on Knights Pantry and how important it is in helping meet their basic needs. One of the biggest things we learned is how access to food and essentials can directly affect a student’s ability to focus, succeed in school, and feel less stressed. We also realized how meaningful even small acts of service can be. Being part of this experience showed us the importance of community support and reminded us that creating a more inclusive and supportive campus can start with simple actions.

Keywords

Knight; Knights Pantry; Pantry

Recommended Citation

Montanez, Kailimar; Payares, Valentina; Dickerson, Tatiana; Wells, Siera; and Sali, Joanna, "Knights Pantry: Serving Students Through Basic Needs Support" (2026). High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2026. 72.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2026spring/72