In recent weeks, Student Assistant Services [SAS] has established a food pantry in Corbett Center above Pete’s Patio near the New Mexico State University E-Sports game room. This food pantry, formally named Pete’s Pop-Up, has received overwhelming support from student programs and facilities.
“That’s what makes it easy-easier, there’s no true resistance.” Amanda Nunez, Interim Director of SAS and Program Specialist for Aggie Cupboard and Pete’s Pop-Up, said.
Nunez explained the project was daunting at first, as the SAS didn’t know where to take on management of the second location.
“Pete’s Pop-Up Pantry has been in concept for a couple of years now, an expansion, but we just didn’t know how to go about it,” Nunez said.
Nunez informed The Round Up how this pantry uses a specific software called Pantry Soft for their website. The site is a data software that uses FERPA to protect faculty, staff, and students’ privacy for online orders.
“When we actually partnered up with Pantry Soft, it made it [Pete’s Pop-Up Pantry] a little bit more accessible,” Nunez said. “It is a system that holds our inventory, tells us things when things need to be reordered. Basically, it’s like Instacart.”
To use the services, students, faculty, and staff must place their order and check in with an active NMSU ID card or phone tap. And with Pantry Soft, users are now able to place their orders online ahead of time instead of having to place their orders in the office physically.
Jenna Serranoreyes, the Case Manager for SAS, said in 2016, she helped build up the Aggie Cupboard and recalled when it began at Christian Challenge back in 2016.
“It wasn’t like you can pick and choose, it was kind of like ‘here’s your bag, whatever’s in there, is for you,” Serrnoreyes stated. “At the time, we didn’t really have resources, it was just strictly food.”
The initiative has since grown in nine years, and in the two weeks, Pete’s Pop-Up Pantry has gained traction and steadily picked up business.
Students, Adrian Armendariz and May Kuramochi, frequent visitors of the NMSU E-Sports Game Room, positively buzzed about the pantries’ location.
“It’s great that it’s near the freshman dormitory, they’re [freshman] not as established. They might need more help seeking out support or resources,” Kuramochi said.
Armendariz further elaborated on Pete’s Pop-Up location and community building, and how it can bring students together who receive mutual help.
“The location is far away from Corbett, and most students will stray away from that,” Armendariz stated. “It also allows for questions to be asked, it’s [a] more opening environment in a way.”
Pete’s Pop-Up Pantry has scheduled disruption times on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. through 2 p.m., and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Students must schedule their pickup for Pete’s Pop-Up Pantry
If an order doesn’t get picked up, Pete’s Pop Up Pantry will hold them until the end of the workday on Wednesday at 3 p.m. Orders not picked up will be placed in inventory at the main Aggie Cupboard office, located on 906 Agriculture Way.
The Aggie Cupboard and Pete’s Pop-Up Pantry are flexible and understanding of student schedules. Communication of late pick-up is received at this contact number, (575) 646-7636.
Nunez said, “Any communication is greatly appreciated.”
