At Clarkson University, Honors engagement goes far beyond the classroom. Through service projects, leadership opportunities, and hands-on problem-solving, Honors students regularly turn ideas into action that strengthens the campus community. One of the most impactful examples of this work is the CU Pantry, a student-driven initiative addressing food insecurity at Clarkson.
What began as a class project has grown into a vital campus resource—showing how collaboration, innovation, and service can create lasting change.
Identifying a Need and Building a Campus Resource
Food insecurity is often an unseen challenge on college campuses, yet it can have a major impact on students’ academic performance, well-being, and overall success. To better understand this issue at Clarkson, the Honors Class of 2023 conducted a campus survey that revealed a significant need: nearly 40% of respondents said they would use a food pantry if one were available.
In response, the class developed the original concept for a campus food pantry as part of the Honors Program Sophomore Project during the 2021 academic year. Their goal was simple but powerful—to create a resource that ensured all students had reliable access to nutritious food.
Since its founding, the CU Pantry has become an essential support system for both undergraduate and graduate students. Rooted in the values of service, innovation, and community, the Pantry reflects the core mission of the Clarkson Honors Program.
Honors students continue to shape the Pantry’s growth through applied, project-based learning. Each new phase of development builds on student leadership and strong campus partnerships.
Innovation, Impact, and Continued Growth
Through a recent Honors service project, Kevin Bou-Abdallah ’27, Greta Ferris ’28, Benjamin Lambert ’28, and Jonas Smith ’28 used their academic skills to modernize Pantry operations. Their work focused on developing an automated inventory system and online ordering platform that supports newly installed smart lockers.
This project, documented in the student poster “Modernizing the Clarkson University Pantry,” allows students to place orders online and pick up food 24/7 using temperature-controlled lockers—significantly reducing barriers to access and increasing flexibility for busy schedules.
“Volunteering with the CU Pantry has taught me so much about empathy, community needs, and the importance of food pantries,” said Kevin Bou-Abdallah ’27. “Through my Clarkson Honors service project, I was able to create a long-term impact on the CU Pantry.”
Another student volunteer, Callan Abel ’27, highlighted the welcoming nature of the resource:
“The Pantry made a real difference for students by ensuring everyone had access to nutritious food. More than that, it focused on making food easy to access and enjoyable, creating a supportive resource for the campus community.”
The results of this Honors-driven work are tangible. Automation has already saved staff and volunteers hours each week and is expected to support dozens of additional student orders, helping the Pantry meet growing demand.
In August 2024, the CU Pantry became an official Partner Agency of the Food Bank of Central New York, expanding its ability to provide a wider variety of perishable and non-perishable food items. To date, the Pantry has secured and distributed approximately 13,000 pounds of food to Clarkson students.
In January 2025, the CU Pantry reached another milestone by moving into a larger, more centrally located space in the Student Center. The new location reflects a continued commitment to accessibility, dignity, and community. Designed to feel warm and welcoming, the space helps ensure students feel comfortable seeking support when they need it.
Today, the CU Pantry stands as a powerful example of sustained student leadership supported by strong campus partnerships. For current students, alumni, and the Honors community, it demonstrates how engagement—when paired with institutional support—can transform student ideas into programs that meaningfully improve student life at Clarkson University..
