Madison On-Campus Food Pantry Opens To Feed Those In Need

A group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is working to help hungry college students in need by opening a food pantry, a project they are calling 'The Open Seat.' Their mission statement reads, "'The Open Seat' strives to alleviate the stresses of food insecurity by providing friendly and accessible sources of food for the students of The University of Wisconsin-Madison."

Kyla Kaplan, vice chairwoman of the Associated Students of Madison and an organizer behind the pantry, tells The Associated Press, "It's clear that we need something like this... Food insecurity is a bigger issue than people realize." The University of Wisconsin-Madison follows suit to a growing number of colleges and universities that have opened food pantries in recent years.

According to the Associated Students of Madison website, donations are being accepted in labeled bins in campus offices and dorms through the rest of the semester. 'The Open Seat' is accepting non-perishable, non-expired cans and other unopened packages.