Pantry helps more students than ever

Despite economic hardships, UCF students are still looking to lend others a helping hand.

Knights Helping Knights, a volunteer organization at UCF, started a food pantry where students in need can get necessities at no cost.

Since it opened last semester, the food pantry has seen a constant increase in visitors.

Organizers estimate that they have helped more than 100 students each semester.

KHK started out as a class project when Rick Falco, Student Union associate director, brought an article to his LEAD Scholars class about students' needs increasing, which prompted his class to discuss various options on campus to help students.

Sarah Maton, KHK student coordinator and sophomore event management major said that after a discussion, a student in the class came up with the idea to start a food pantry.

KHK's activity has garnered gratitude from many students, including freshman Mariah Gonzalez, an education major.

"It's really cool that they do this," she said. "But it would worry me if people who don't need [help] would take advantage of it."

Falco said they have not had any problems with students doing so, and he noted that quite a few students who have been helped have returned to volunteer once they are back on their feet. But no one, he said, is ever asked of anything in return for the pantry's services.

"Obviously, if someone hit the lottery we would hope they would remember us," he said.

"But there are other ways to give back."

Falco said the pantry operates on an honor system and trusts that students take only what they need.

"Take it if you need it and if you don't need it, don't take it," he said.

Even with the increase in traffic, the program still struggling with getting the name out in the ever growing UCF community.

"That is one of our challenges," Falco said. "There is no obvious way to advertise it, but we have done Facebook and other events as well."

Last Thanksgiving, KHK partnered with a local Girl Scout troop to hand out bags of food.

Two weeks ago the scouts came to campus to pass out food and help raise awareness of KHK.

Other partners on campus include the UCF Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils, the Student Union and the Counseling Center.

KHK also took donations and hosted a yard sale Tuesday at the first annual Knights Market where students could sell their unwanted items rather than throw them away.

The organization's helping hand not only offers food, but extends to other daily necessities such as toiletries, deodorant, toothpaste and soap.

Maton said they are also exploring options like accepting clothing, shoes and even appliances.

"We will take whatever because someone out there needs it," she said. "Even if students want to come in and trade a shirt or just come pick up something because they need it, they are more than welcome."

To learn more about Knights Helping Knights' food pantry, and for other advice, visit their website at http://khk.sdes.ucf.edu or their Facebook page.