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UTEP Dining by Sodexo Tackles Student Food Insecurity Through Creative Campus Giving Initiatives
From food recovery efforts to student-led donation drives, UTEP Dining and campus partners are finding practical ways to support students.
At the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), the Dining Services team is working alongside campus partners to address an issue affecting college students across the country: food insecurity. Through a series of creative donation drives, food recovery efforts, and sustainability initiatives, UTEP Dining is helping ensure students have access to essential resources while providing opportunities for the campus community to get involved.
Central to these efforts is a partnership with the Miner Market Food Pantry, which provides food and other necessities to students experiencing food insecurity. Working with the pantry and the Student Government Association (SGA), UTEP Dining has developed several initiatives that turn everyday campus activities into opportunities to support fellow Miners.
Turning Surplus Food Into Student Support
One of UTEP Dining's newest initiatives addresses two challenges at once: reducing food waste and increasing access to food for students in need.
Through an ongoing partnership with the Miner Market Food Pantry, surplus food from campus catering events and retail dining operations is redirected to the pantry rather than going to waste. The recovered food helps supplement the pantry's available resources, providing additional support for students who may struggle to afford groceries while balancing the financial demands of college life.
The year-round effort demonstrates how existing campus dining operations can contribute to student well-being by making better use of available food resources.
Chick for Totes: Small Donations With a Practical Purpose
Building on its commitment to food security and sustainability, UTEP Dining and the Student Government Association are launching Chick for Totes, a campus-wide donation campaign running November 6–24, 2026.
The initiative invites students, faculty, and staff to donate reusable shopping bags at three participating campus dining locations: Jamba Juice, Orange & Brew, and Texas Western Café.
In exchange for their contributions, participants receive a voucher for either 10% off at Chick-fil-A or a free ice cream.
The collected bags will be donated to the Miner Market Food Pantry, where they will serve an important purpose: helping students carry groceries and other essential items conveniently and discreetly.
By focusing on an everyday necessity that might otherwise be overlooked, Chick for Totes addresses a practical aspect of food pantry use while encouraging the campus community to reuse materials and reduce waste.
Cans for Cuddles Brings a Creative Twist to Giving
Earlier in the fall semester, UTEP Dining demonstrated that supporting a good cause can also be fun.
On October 21, the Dining Services team hosted Cans for Cuddles, an interactive donation drive that invited members of the campus community to exchange four canned food items or four hygiene products for the opportunity to create their own stuffed plush animal to take home.
The concept combined a hands-on activity with a straightforward way to contribute to the Miner Market Food Pantry.
The response resulted in the collection of more than 260 food and hygiene products, all donated to the pantry to support students in need.
Held once each semester, Cans for Cuddles gives students, faculty, and staff a recurring opportunity to participate in campus giving while enjoying a memorable experience.
The inclusion of hygiene products also recognizes that students experiencing food insecurity may face challenges accessing other everyday necessities.
Campus Partnerships Make a Difference
While each initiative takes a different approach, all three share a common goal: making it easier for the UTEP community to support students facing financial challenges.
The collaboration between UTEP Dining Services, the Miner Market Food Pantry, and the Student Government Association brings together campus resources, student involvement, and practical solutions.
Food recovery efforts help make better use of existing resources. Chick for Totes provides reusable bags that support pantry visitors while promoting sustainability. Cans for Cuddles creates an engaging way for the campus community to contribute food and personal care items.
Together, these programs reflect an ongoing commitment to addressing student needs through thoughtful, accessible opportunities for giving.
For UTEP Dining, supporting students extends beyond the meals served in campus dining locations. Whether recovering surplus food, collecting reusable bags, or inviting students to exchange canned goods for a cuddly keepsake, the team is finding ways to turn everyday interactions into meaningful support for the Miner community.
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