Open Paws Pantry receives donations from young fundraiser 

Every year, Westminster Schools of Augusta students engage in an annual service project to teach students the importance of making a difference through servanthood. For sixth grader Reid Larkin, this meant supporting Augusta University’s Open Paws Food Pantry through a fundraising initiative.

Reid was inspired by his mother, Shelli Larkin, director of Student Health Services, who is passionate about AU students achieving and maintaining a holistic well-being. She recommended that he contribute to the well-being of AU’s students through this fundraising opportunity.

Reid found that the service project allowed him “to do good for people,” and he felt like he “did the right thing.” He only wished he could have advertised more and had the collection boxes out longer.

“We know that there are a lot of food insecurities here at AU with our students, and Reid understands that when people don’t have food to eat, it affects their physical and mental health,” Shelli Larkin said.  

The Open Paws Pantry, housed within the Office of the Dean of Students, carries nonperishable food items and toiletries and is available to all enrolled AU students, according to Simone Hicks, PhD, associate dean of students. 

“We have worked really hard to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students,” said Hicks. “We recognize that there can be some stigma related to it for some students, but we welcome all students to our pantry. We want to create a place where you feel that it is perfectly OK to grab something to sustain you because we know that students who are fed with full stomachs are able to succeed in their classes.”   

Reid’s fundraising efforts at Westminster encouraged everyone to donate, whether it was teachers, staff or fellow students. He even created special donation boxes to hold the donated items, which included a large number of snacks and small meals like individual-sized chips, protein bars, popcorn, canned fruits, candy, fruit bars, crackers, trail mix, rice and canned drinks. 

Hicks praised Reid’s leadership and hopes his initiative will inspire continued partnership with local organizations to address food insecurity.

“I am hopeful that we can continue things like this to highlight what our youth are doing and bring awareness to food insecurity not only on our campus but in our community,” Hicks said. “I think Reid’s project is just the start to an abundance of greatness there is left to do.”

The Open Paws Pantry has three locations – the Quad Studio on the Summerville Campus, the Student Center on the Health Sciences Campus and University Village. The pantry is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Those interested in donating to the Open Paws Pantry are encouraged to connect with the Office of the Dean of Students or review the pantry’s Amazon wish list. You can also directly donate to the pantry through Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement‘s Giving Tuesday website.