The University of Lynchburg’s Office of Belonging has received a $5,962 grant for its food pantry. The Hunger-Free Campus Grant, administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, was awarded earlier this month.
According to the Rev. Dr. Nathan Albert, Lynchburg’s assistant vice president of belonging and Elisha K. Bennett University Chaplain, the funds will be used to purchase shelving, signage, and possibly a refrigerator, and to install card access so students can visit the space at their convenience.
Any remaining funds will be used to keep the pantry stocked.
The University’s food pantry is part of Dell Thrift, a student-managed shop located on the first floor of Drysdale Student Center. The shop provides seasonal clothing, nonperishable food, and personal hygiene items at no cost to students and other members of the University community.
“I want to acknowledge the work of our students, who have reopened the new location on Dell Thrift this year and manage the space,” said Tasha Gillum, Lynchburg’s assistant director of service learning and civil engagement.
“Various student volunteers help support the open hours and work behind the scenes to process donations and food pantry pickup.”
She specifically mentioned Sarah Mills ’29 and Shay Conrow ’29. Both first-year students participate in Lynchburg’s Bonner Leader Program, a partnership with the Bonner Foundation through which students serve in work-study roles at local nonprofits, schools, or agencies.
Mills manages Dell Thrift’s operations and Conrow handles social media and marketing efforts.
The grant was written by Albert, Gillum, and Lynchburg’s Associate University Chaplain Jer Bryant ’03, ’10 MA. In their grant application, the team wrote that following “major restructuring and reorganization” at the University in 2024, there had “been a greater push to reinstate Dell Thrift,” which was previously located in Hundley Hall.
Dell Thrift was moved to Drysdale, which they described as a “larger, more centralized, and student-facing location,” and the ultimate goal was to make it “the prime food pantry location.”
While visits to Dell Thrift are not currently tracked, the shop’s impact is no secret. “Use of the pantry is anonymous; name and the amount of food taken are not recorded,” Gillum said. “This resource exists to support our campus community in a convenient and dignified way.
“Community members have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage in the space. Some visit Dell Thrift for the opportunity to thrift, support sustainability, or browse for food and clothing. Others visit because access to essentials is helpful at that moment.
“What makes this space special is that it’s open to everyone. There’s no distinction or status attached to how or why someone uses it. It’s a shared community resource, and everyone is welcome to visit Dell Thrift.”
Pantry donations come from off and on campus.
“We receive … donations from Park View Community Mission’s Food for Thought program,” Gillum said, referring to a nonprofit located not far from the University. “Students pick up pantry staples each Thursday to resupply our pantry shelves.
“We also receive donations from community events, like the recent Staff Holiday Mixer, where individuals were encouraged to bring pantry items. And individuals have signed up to refill pantries throughout the years. It’s been a community effort.”
Dell Thrift is currently seeking donations of the following items: peanut butter, canned meat and beans with pull tops, cereal and rice, microwavable meals, cheese and peanut butter crackers, hygiene supplies, and clothing, including professional clothing and winter items like sweaters, jackets, long-sleeved shirts, hats, gloves, and scarves.
Donations to Dell Thrift’s pantry can be arranged via direct messaging on Instagram — ul_dell_thrift — or by emailing [email protected].
