University where Students Can’t Go Hungry During Breaks

Students of University of Chicago can’t go hungry again with a novel strategy to provide continuous meal service during school breaks.

To the rescue is the Executive Director of UChicago Dining, Christopher Toote, who first came to the United States from his home in the Bahamas, devising a method to provide meal during breaks.

The strategy came as a result of the experience Toote encountered as an international student, going hungry as he found out that dining halls would not reopen until students came back after breaks. “There will be no kitchen in my dorm,” Toote said.

The innovation has left UChicago ensure all students have access to food during Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks.

According to Toote, the programme entails that during the Thanksgiving and spring breaks, one dining hall would remain open to serve hot, nutritious free meal and snacks to students anonymously enrolled in C.A.R.E.S.

Over the longer winter break, when food operations are closed, students could arrange to receive free grocery kits with supplies for 21 meals, with respect for dietary choice.

Toote said, “Let’s make sure they can access a dining hall without a regular meal plan, so… we will take care of you. We needed to get out the message that this University cares. If you need groceries, we care. If you make dietary needs, we’ll ask and follow through.”

The food programme was recently awarded The 2022 Sustainability Award for Outreach and Education from National Association of College and University Food Services in recognition of the success of their outreach campaign and the importance of social responsibility.

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