Lend-A-Wing food pantry sees surge in student visits this fall

Lend-A-Wing food pantry sees surge in student visits this fall Categories: Latest Latest Stories News Lend-A-Wing food pantry sees surge in student visits this fall Arianna Sanislow-Pressey, Government Reporter | Oct 13, 2026 Arianna Sanislow-Pressey With a significant increase in student visits this year, Lend-A-Wing is working on a project intended to expand students’ access to the pantry, according to Lend-A-Wing’s director Anjali O’Toole‑Gupta. Lend-A-Wing, the University of North Florida’s student food pantry, saw a significant increase in student visits this fall semester as the pantry continues to expand its resources and outreach efforts.  The pantry recorded 1,200 student visits in August compared to 700 during the same month last year. Lend-A-Wing also distributed 3,000 pounds of food to students during the month, according to data from Lend-A-Wing’s director Anjali O’Toole-Gupta.  Tommy Mazella, Vice President of the UNF Student Government, said the increase reflects Lend-A-Wing’s continued growth and demand for its services.  “We are consistently growing with Lend-A-Wing; it is a really great effort, and our student staff there is amazing, as well as their advisors,” Mazella said.  Mazella said the pantry once had a line of students extending outside the building, demonstrating the increasing engagement.  In September, Lend-A-Wing recorded around 2,476 student visits, according to O’Toole‑Gupta.  “We are learning how to adapt with our growing student usage”, O’Toole-Gupta said. She said that the food pantry staff can handle the increase in student visits and encourages more students to visit.  October plans for Lend-A-Wing Lend-A-Wing has several initiatives planned for October, including its annual partnership with Parking and Transportation Services.  During the week of Oct. 12–16, Lend-A-Wing hosts a week-long event called “Fines that Feed” where students can pay their parking fees and all money will be donated to Lend-A-Wing. Around 587 parking fees were paid last year, which helped raise more than $11,000 for the food pantry.  As demand for the pantry grows, Lend-A-Wing is also looking for ways to improve the space and expand access to students. O’Toole-Gupta said the organization plans to attend the Swipe Out Hunger National Convening in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Oct. 14–15.  This conference brings together nonprofit organizations, funders and community partners working to address college student hunger, according to the conference website.  O’Toole-Gupta said Lend-A-Wing hopes to connect with other organizations and individuals to exchange ideas and find inspiration to expand and improve the food pantry at UNF.  What to look forward to Arianna Sanislow-Pressey Students can expect new produce stands and wall decals as Lend-A-Wing explores ways to improve the food pantry and create a welcoming environment. Lend-A-Wing continues to explore ways to improve the food pantry and create a welcoming environment for students, according to O’Toole-Gupta.  New produce stands will be added to make fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible and the pantry also plans to install a colorful wall decal designed by a Student Government graphic designer, O’Toole Gupta said. Additionally, Lend-A-Wing is working on a project intended to expand students’ access to the pantry, although officials have not yet released details. More information is expected in the coming weeks, O’Toole-Gupta said.  Lend-A-Wing is open to all students from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The pantry is restocked every Monday, Wednesday and Friday before opening.  For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact [email protected]. View Story Comments 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Email this Story Print this Story Leave a Comment More to Discover More in Latest 'Suits and Sneakers': UNF Athletics hosts 10th annual fundraising bash North Florida earns second place in home contest, makes 26 podium finishes UNF Senate addresses attendance, sustainability and student success Hurricane Isaias prompts schedule shifts for UNF teams and Sporting JAX matches More in Latest Stories Hurricane Isaias intensifies into Category 3 storm Tropical Storm Isaias forms in the Gulf: What UNF students need to know The Gay Bar Issue: Queer establishments in Jacksonville at risk of closure How one UNF professor survived a heart condition and began raising money to help others More in News Osprey Ridge construction brings student outdoor spaces, resident concerns Michael P. Shannon approved as UNF’s eighth president Ozzie Bucks return to off-campus dining via GrubHub partnership UNF keeps Flock cameras active despite Florida’s highway ban About the Contributor Arianna Sanislow-Pressey, Government Reporter Arianna is a sophomore at UNF, majoring in Multimedia Journalism.