Lasell University and Newton Food Pantry staff at the opening of the Lasell Dry Pantry. Picture via Newton Food Pantry. 

Lasell University’s Center for Community-Based Learning (CCBL), in conjunction with the Newton Food Pantry, opened a self-serve dry food pantry on campus. 

Located in Klingbeil house, the pantry is open to all Lasell community members. Food is being provided by the Newton Food Pantry, though donations of needed items or monetary contributions are welcomed from others to support the initiative.

“We are excited to offer this resource to members of the Lasell community, especially students,” said Nickki Dawes, director of the CCBL and associate professor of psychology. “Students succeed when all of their needs are met. We see the dry pantry as one more resource that we can provide for students to have what they need to thrive as they pursue their educational goals.” 

The pantry will be open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9AM – 12 PM, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 PM – 4 PM. It is open to both commuter and residential students. Community members who wish to utilize the pantry needn’t sign up; anyone is welcome to come and take what they need during open hours of operation. 

“The system is meant to be completely anonymous,” said Dawes. “Someone will be in the building during open hours, but students and others can ‘shop’ the pantry independently whenever they please.”