A member of the Peer Health Educator team helps distribute items throughout the spine. Photo by Taylor Heckart
“Is this all free?”
That tends to be the first question many students ask when the camo-colored Wellness Wagon rolls through the spine of UAA. Laden with an abundance of snacks, instant meals, drinks, toothbrushes, Covid tests and more – the answer is always “yes.”
For first time students, hesitation turns into surprise and gratitude. By then, students who know the Wellness Wagon are already running over from study spots or vaulting over furniture to see what is available today.
I spent some time with the Wellness Wagon as it made its rounds, observing its impact on students.
The Wellness Wagon is an initiative run by UAA’s Peer Health Educator team, built with the goal of providing easy access to free basic needs on campus.
According to the Seawolf Food Pantry page, nearly 45% of UAA students experience some kind of food insecurity. The Peer Health Education team ran their own survey, and found similar results.
They also found that 12% of students reported experiencing homelessness, and 10% of students reported having insufficient access to basic needs in the past 30 days. Of the students who had insufficient access, 70% reported having access to no basic needs items.
“These results prove our need for better accessibility and free options, meeting students where they are and equity. Lack of food and basic needs is detrimental to student success both academically and socially,” wrote Summer Sweet, the Health Promotion Specialist with the Peer Health Educators, in a follow-up email.
According to Sweet, the Wellness Wagon was started in spring of last year. It now rolls across campus once a week – though the date and time often varies.
Everything provided is free, and students can take as little or as much as they need.
Sweet said that the Wellness Wagon was fully paid for by Student Activities last semester, and they are currently looking for grants, donations, and other sources of funding for the next year.
The most common things students say after taking items is either “Thank you!” or “I really needed this!”
Sweet said that – when the Peer Health Educator team ran a survey earlier in the year – they received a lot of positive feedback from students. Many students used the survey to thank the team for the service.
“They’re lifesavers!” said UAA student Deko Harbi after looking through the Wellness Wagon’s offerings. Harbi said that sometimes she’s out late studying and forgets to eat. The Wellness Wagon is able to provide food when she needs it.
The Wellness Wagon also receives support from other groups on campus. Kaladi Brothers sometimes gives food for the Wellness Wagon to hand out after closing, and the Consortium Library will put out Wellness Wagon materials during the library’s after hours.
The only problem the Wellness Wagon faces during its rounds? Their free tampons look too much like chocolate – much to the surprise of some students. The Peer Health Education team now gives out a warning well in advance.
By the time the Wellness Wagon has finished its route through campus, it has already run out of many items.
Sweet said that they’re currently looking for donations to keep the Wellness Wagon going. Their highest priority items are monetary donations, dental products, menstrual products, hygiene products and cold weather gear. They also have an Amazon wishlist.
The Wellness Wagon is currently one of multiple basic needs initiatives across campus.
Other Locations for Free Basic Needs Items on Campus:
The Seawolf Food Pantry can be found at the Professional Studies Building, Room 212. According to their website, the Seawolf Food Pantry provides a 3 day supply of shelf stable food for up to four people.
The Seawolf Food Pantry Fall 2023 hours are Monday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students may use the food pantry twice a month.
There is also the Emergency Food Cache, available at the Student Health and Counseling Center at Rasmuson Hall. According to their website, the Emergency Food Cache provides a 3 day supply of easy to prepare packaged foods.
The Northern Light has previously done stories on the Food Pantry and the Emergency Food Cache, which can be found online.
The Peer Health Educator team also stocks a wellness station at the entrance of The Hub, located on the first floor of the Student Union. The Wellness Station provides condoms, hand sanitizer, Covid tests, razors, Emergen-C, menstrual products and fliers and posters for various other resources.
Free condom dispensers can be found in the Student Union second floor bathrooms, Health Sciences Building first floor bathrooms and in Multicultural Student Services in Rasmuson Hall. Condom dispensers can also be found in various locations across Residential Campus.
Multicultural Student Services has a mutual aid station with free Covid tests, razors, condoms and menstrual products. They also provide free food and snacks for students.
The Pride Center also has a mutual aid station with condoms, menstrual products, Covid tests, flyers and other resources.
The Consortium Library provides free Covid tests at the front desk and free menstrual products. Though the menstrual products are found in the library’s vending machine, they are vended at no cost.
Career Services operates the Seawolf Career Closet. According to the Career Services Instagram account, the Career Closet offers students free access to new and gently used professional clothing. In addition to free professional clothing, the Career Closet also offers complimentary hygiene products such as toothbrushes, tooth paste and deodorant.
Appointments for the Career Closet can be made on Handshake.
Sweet said that she is currently working with facilities to get free menstrual products available in bathrooms. She said that they will hopefully be available soon.
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