Hybrid Pantry Model

Pantry Changes

Clients may enter the pantry to pick out their preferred items using one provided reusable HEB bag (for new clients only) or one provided brown bag for returning clients if they do not bring their reusable HEB bag.
- Only clients who manually schedule an entry time will be allowed to enter the pantry.
- Clients who do not schedule a time or forget, will not be allowed to enter the pantry at all. They will instead receive a bag (similar to the bags we have given out for the past year) of pre-selected food items.
The 12th Can schedules client appointments through PantrySOFT.
All clients must schedule their own appointment and book a spot themselves. Office volunteers will not be responsible for scheduling clients in most cases. If you are having trouble gaining access to electronics and can’t physically sign-up (say you do not own a phone or a computer and do not have access to any) then please talk to an office worker and we will try to accommodate you.
Once you have scheduled an appointment you can arrive anytime during the 30 minute timeframe and you will be allowed entrance to the pantry.
- If you arrive more than 15 minutes past your appointment timeframe, you will not be able to enter the pantry, but can get a pre-packaged bag

New Clients: Before arriving at the pantry on the day of a pantry opening, you may print and fill out a New Client Form that is attached below. Then, bring it to the pantry for approval. There will also be copies of the forms at the pantry as well. After presenting a university-affiliated ID to an office volunteer, you may grab a prepackaged bag on a table set up outside of the office.
- All information is kept confidential and only recorded for statistical purposes.
- If you need help finding our office, please go to the Location Tab.

Why do I need to sign-up for a time slot to enter the pantry?

To allow for adequate social distancing, we are allowing only 4 clients to enter the pantry at the same time to shop for items. In order to limit the amount of people waiting in the lobby, exposure to covid-19, and the potential shutdown of our operations we are continuing to promote social distancing and are implementing sanitary procedures to ensure client and volunteer safety.

Why are the time slots on the sign-up sheet 30 minutes long?

At most, 10 clients will be allowed to enter the pantry within a 30 minute timeframe. No more than 4 clients will be allowed to enter the pantry at a time, so the 30 minute time-frame allows us to guarantee all 10 clients will have time to enter the pantry. You may arrive any time during that 30 minute time frame and will have guaranteed entry if you are on time. This also allows for sanitary procedures and social distancing to be observed without worry of overcrowding.

What happens if I choose not to sign-up or forget to sign-up? Will I still receive food?

Clients who forget to sign-up or choose not to sign-up will still be able to receive a premade bag with food items, you will not get to choose these items. The sign-up page will still be available when the pantry is open, so if spots are still open a client could potentially book a time slot an hour before arriving.

When does the sign-up for the next pantry opening open and close?

The sign-up sheets for the next pantry opening will go online between 3:00 – 3:30 pm on the Friday before the next pantry opening. For example, the sign-up sheets for Wednesday, September 22nd and Thursday, September 23rd will become available on Friday, September 17th at approximately 3 pm.

If I show up to the pantry without scheduling an entry time and no one is in the pantry? Can I just go inside?

No, a client who arrives and did not schedule a time using our sign-up sheet can’t enter the pantry. If a time slot is available by chance, a client must book it and show confirmation to the volunteer. Volunteers will not book time slots for clients during opening hours.

What happens if I’m early?

If you arrive early please stay outdoors or in your car until 5 minutes before your appointment. If no clients are currently in the pantry we will let you inside the pantry as long as you properly scheduled your appointment.

What happens if I’m late?

If you show up late you are not guaranteed entrance to the pantry. If you are unable to enter the pantry then you will receive a premade bag instead.

What should I bring to these openings?

Always bring your Texas A&M ID, this is the only form of ID we require
For returning clients, bring back your reusable HEB bag! Clients who bring back their bag will be entered into a raffle to win a kitchen appliance.
- While clients can only take 1 bag of non-perishable goods no matter the household size, we recommend bringing a 2nd reusable bag to carry frozen meat. This 2nd bag would only be used for frozen meat and produce, it can not be used to take more cans home.