Nobody is immune to food insecurity during these perilous times, not even the university community.

The UNLV Cares Food Pantry exists to help students, staff and faculty by providing nonperishable food items. Due to the pandemic, the pantry’s supplies were being strained.

But here’s some good news: The pantry and the UNLV Nutrition Center recently received a $250,000 federal grant as part of the CARES Act. That infusion comes in addition to a June fundraising campaign that raised about $15,000.

“This is a real lifeline to our community during a time of great need,” Ronald T. Brown, dean of the School of Integrated Health Sciences, said in a news release. “We are incredibly grateful for all the people who donated to help feed our students.”

Every month, the pantry serves about 250 UNLV community members. The additional funding will go toward food, equipment, staffing, an online ordering system and nutrition education for the community.