UCF students affected by the economic hardships of the recession have a new outlet. Knights Helping Knights, a volunteer-based organization set up through Rick Falco’s first year LEAD Scholars class, focuses on giving back through a food pantry and a yard sale at Memory Mall. Located on the third floor of the student union, the food pantry is run by shifts of volunteers and includes varieties of canned foods, bottled beverages, toiletries and supplies provided free of charge for students. The pantry will expand to include used electronics, clothing and any other donated goods for students. It is open Tuesday and Thursday from 11a.m.-2 p.m., but can be opened at anytime for students seeking assistance by calling 407.823.2256 or e-mailing smaton@mail.ucf.edu.
“The pantry is built on trust,” said Nate Torrech, sophomore and member of Knights Helping Knights. “We don’t require identification because we want students to feel comfortable enough to utilize this resource.”
“We are working on marketing and a T-shirt design to get the campus familiar with the organization,” said Sarah Maton, who initiated the Knights Helping Knights.
A campuswide yard sale will take place in Spring 2010. “We hope to eventually expand the yard sale to cover the majority of memory mall,” said Torrech.
Volunteers are needed to assist with the food pantry and yard sale on a regular basis. Volunteer opportunities can be found on the Knights Helping Knights Web site: khk.sdes.ucf.edu and Facebook page.
LEAD Scholars Program is an office in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.