University food pantries win UT System competition
Three UTHealth Houston food pantries collected 11,113 donated items in October, earning first place in their division of the inaugural The University of Texas System Showdown Against Hunger competition.
Cares Corner, the McGovern Mini Market, and The Cupboard participated in the food drive, which encouraged faculty and staff to help stock student food pantries ahead of the holiday season.
UTHealth Houston claimed the top spot in Division A, collecting more than four times as many items as runners-up The University of Texas at Tyler and The University of Texas Permian Basin.
Organized by The University of Texas at Arlington, the competition ran Oct. 5-23 and brought together eight UT System institutions to collect nonperishable food and hygiene items for students experiencing food insecurity.
Together, the universities collected 77,638 items. The University of Texas at El Paso won Division B with 35,091 donations, while UT Arlington claimed first place in Division C with 5,284.
Participating universities were divided into three categories based on student enrollment, with donation totals calculated weekly.
The initiative grew out of a food drive organized at UT Arlington in 2025. Following its success, organizers expanded the effort to include other UT System institutions, creating a friendly competition centered on supporting students across Texas.
For UTHealth Houston, the competition provided an opportunity to bring faculty and staff together in support of students across the university. The donated items will help replenish pantry supplies and provide additional resources for students as the holiday season approaches.
Visit the UTHealth Houston food pantries
As the holiday season approaches, UTHealth Houston students can access food and essential supplies through three student food pantries. Hours and availability vary by location.
McGovern Mini Market — McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
The McGovern Mini Market will maintain its regular hours throughout the holiday season:
- Wednesdays and Thursdays: Noon to 1 p.m.
- First and third Tuesdays: 4-6 p.m.
- Second and fourth Thursdays: 4-6 p.m.
Students are asked to complete an eligibility questionnaire available on the Mini Market website or through QR codes posted on the Mini Market door, in the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs (MSB G.400), and in the Office of Educational Programs (MSB G.420).
Cares Corner—Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston
Cares Corner plans to offer access during Thanksgiving week, Nov. 23-24, and during finals week, Dec. 14-16. These dates are tentative and subject to confirmation.
The pantry is restocked two to three times weekly, with supplies available while they last.
The Cupboard—UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
The Cupboard is located in PHB 232 and will offer the following November hours from 10 a.m. to noon:
- Thursday, Nov. 5
- Thursday, Nov. 12
- Thursday, Nov. 19
- Wednesday, Nov. 25
All Texas Medical Center students are welcome. Students needing access outside regular hours can contact The Cupboard.