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While the University of North Georgia (Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û) has suspended instruction for two weeks and has moved instruction online for the remainder of the semester after that, the food pantries on the Cumming, Dahlonega, Gainesville and Oconee campuses will be open for limited hours March 17-20.

The food pantries posted the decision March 14 to remain open as the University System of Georgia announced a temporary suspension of instruction due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Georgia.

Dr. Carly Redding, interim director of academic engagement and director of the Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û Food Pantry on the Gainesville Campus, said the pantries started receiving phone calls March 13 from staff and students who were in need. It prompted the decision to stay open, and volunteers have risen to the occasion.

"We realize that people are in desperate need of resources during these difficult times," she said. "The Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û Food Pantry will continue to do its part to serve as many faculty, staff and students as possible."

Domini'que Allen, assistant director of the Gainesville Campus food pantry, said at least 30 households come either on a weekly or biweekly basis to the pantry. She added the Gainesville pantry served 231 individuals in January and 374 in February.

"Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û truly understands what this community needs," Allen said. "So many of our students rely on work study, grants and scholarships to sustain themselves or part-time work. Having a food pantry that provides basic needs is an essential part of the services that should consistently be provided in academia."

The Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û Food Pantry on the Gainesville Campus will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 16-20 in the Student Center. The pantry will be closed March 21-29, which is during Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û's previously scheduled spring break week.  

Nigel's Nest, the food pantry on the Oconee Campus, will operate during its regular hours in Bishop Hall. It is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18. For access other days and times, students may visit the front desk in the Administration Building for assistance. Students may also call or text 678-780-9509 to request a person meet them at the pantry.

Students, faculty and staff who wish to access the Appalachian Studies Center's food pantry on the Dahlonega Campus are asked to call 706-864-1444 or 706-974-4940 for help and information.

The Cumming Food Pantry will also serve the Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û community as needed as long as the building is open. For more information, contact Nikki McNeill, student services coordinator, at 470-695-4718 or nikki.mcneill@ung.edu.

"We encourage those who need supplies to utilize the pantry during these hours," Redding said.

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