The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Panther Pantry has received a mini grant from the University of Pittsburgh Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Luis Olivas, associate dean of inclusion and belonging at Pitt-Bradford, received a $2,000 grant to benefit the pantry, an on-campus program for students facing food insecurity.

Olivas said that Pitt-Bradford anonymously and discreetly gives out around a dozen pre-packaged meals each week to students. The grant will help cover the cost of some meals, which include shelf stable items totaling about 1,500 calories, including cereal, milk oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, canned fruit and snacks.

“We have to make sure that hunger is not an impediment for our students,” Olivas said.

The pantry also accepts donations. Suggested items include granola bars, oatmeal cups, individual mixed nuts, fruit cups, shelf-stable drinks and microwavable meals, tuna in envelopes or pop tops and chips. In-person donations can be dropped off at the Office of Inclusion and Belonging, Room 144, Frame-Westerberg Commons at Pitt-Bradford.

  The Panther Pantry also has an Amazon wish list where donors can purchase needed items that are sent directly to the pantry. For a link to the Amazon wish list or a full list of suggested items, visit www.upb.pitt.edu/panther-pantry.