The Nook marks 200 visits; partners with Give Day to stock shelves ahead of summer 

The Nook is partnering with the Give Day campaign to stock the shelves of the employee-focused pantry ahead of the summer months.  

The Nook is a volunteer-driven, compassionate and confidential resource for faculty and staff facing food insecurity. First opened in November 2024, The Nook is joining forces with Clemson’s successful “Give Day” campaign to boost donations for colleagues in need. 

Clemson’s 10^th annual Give Day is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 2025. The annual event invites members of the Clemson Family to support the University and its programs through donations. 

The Nook’s Give Day campaign will place donation bags in buildings across campus so that University community members can make donations for nonperishable food items, household products, and personal hygiene products. 

Four months, 200 visits, one goal 

When the committee tasked with creating The Nook began planning for the University’s first employee-focused pantry, they wondered how many people would use the resource. 

They knew there was a need, but had no data to estimate how many people would walk through the doors. 

Four months after the pantry opened in mid-November, the need is clear. 

Since opening November 22, The Nook has welcomed nearly 50 colleagues from across University departments. Averaging roughly 15 visits a week, the pantry surpassed 200 visits in mid-March. 

The Nook is funded solely by donations. As more colleagues learn of the resource, the need for donations increases. 

“We have been blown away by the generosity of our community,” said Tracy Arwood, associate vice president and chief ethics and compliance officer. “Our hope is that the donations will continue so we can make this resource sustainable for our colleagues who need a little help from time to time.” 

Give Day Campaign 

Colleagues across campus will have several opportunities to support The Nook during the Give Day campaign. 

Brown paper bags will be delivered to departments and buildings across campus the week of March 31, to allow units time to collect donations before April 10. Each paper bag will have a flyer attached, listing pantry needs and a pick-up date for the items. 

Nook team members will return to each location between April 7 and April 10 to collect donations. 

Buildings slated for bag drop-offs are listed below. If a building is not included on this list and a team is interested in participating in the drive, please email thenook@clemson.edu.   

On Give Day, The Nook will set up a table on Bowman Field between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., where individuals can drop off donations. 

Those interested in supporting the project can also make financial donations through a one-time donation to this Clemson Giving portal or through payroll deduction (select “Other: The Nook, B4890”).   

Adapting to the Need 

Like the backgrounds of the individuals using The Nook’s services, the needs of colleagues visiting the Nook also vary. 

Spurred by employee feedback, The Nook has worked hard to expand access to gluten-free and other allergy-aware items. 

“We’ve heard from our colleagues that they don’t get to choose what they receive at most pantries. They often receive a bag of items, and if they can’t use them, they feel wasteful,” said Arwood. “They’ve told us that just the simple fact that they can choose the items feels respectful.” 

Respect has been a guiding principle of The Nook since its inception, with the goal being to create a space that is welcoming to all and respects everyone, no matter their situation. 

The Nook is not just adapting its offerings but also its availability. Initially open each day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the team expanded service on Thursdays until 4 p.m. to address feedback from some colleagues who couldn’t get to the facility until after their shift ended. 

These enhancements and adjustments are just the tip of the iceberg. The Nook committee, described by Arwood as a “small but mighty” team, is set on expanded offerings (think fresh food), bigger food drives and easier access to resources. 

How to Access The Nook 

The Nook is open to all Clemson University employees, including graduate students.  

The pantry is located on the west side of campus at 141 Klugh Avenue (next to the Parking and Transportation Services Building). The location is marked with signage to help colleagues find the space. 

The Nook is open daily between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and has extended hours until 4 p.m. on Thursdays. 

Short-term parking for the Nook is available in the southeast corner of the E-5 parking lot (next to Fike Recreation Center), marked “Parking Services.” 

Colleagues unable to visit The Nook during regular hours may email thenook@clemson.edu to schedule an appointment.