Bowie State University Debuts Pantry Plus App and Lockers

Partnership Will Expand Access to BSU’s Nutrition Lounge

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jonathan Saxon, jsaxon@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-3607

(BOWIE, Md.) – Bowie State University debuted the new app and food locker system that will expand access to the university’s Nutrition Lounge, which provides groceries and personal items free of charge to address food insecurity and other basic needs.

The campus community was invited to test out the new system during a demonstration in the Student Center on Oct. 20. Students, faculty and staff can order from the Nutrition Lounge using the Pantry Plus app and have their order delivered to one of three lockers located on campus. Lockers will be placed at the Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community, Alex Haley Residence Hall and the Leonidas James Physical Education Complex.

Eajia Bonnebille, a freshman biology major, had a chance to test the new lockers and thinks they will go a long way towards helping students focus on their studies instead of worrying about where their next meal will come from.

“I think it’s pretty cool,” said Bonnebille. “This is a good setup. When you’re hungry and already used all your swipes, you can go to the pantry and get food. I think it’s really nice, it’ll help the community a lot.”

The rollout is part of a new partnership between the university and Drop Essentials, a company that works with federal, state and local governments to deliver food and other supplies to those in need.

“We knew the university had this amazing program with their Nutrition Lounge,” said Drops Companies Board Chair Stephanie McGuire. “What we wanted to do is come along side of them to help build infrastructure.”

The Nutrition Lounge opened in 2019 and is located on the ground floor of the Thurgood Marshall Library. Since 2020, the Nutrition Lounge has served over 14,000 visitors. Students make up almost 77% of the lounge’s visitors.

“We’re honored to be the first and only university in the country with the Drop Essentials program,” said Dr. Ina Ramos, the Nutrition Lounge manager. “We are very grateful the Pantry Plus app and locker system will not only expand our ability to become a food secure community, but it will also help reduce the stigma that is associated with food insecurity.”

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.