The Open Seat strives to alleviate the stresses of food insecurity – whether this is running low on groceries, being concerned about their food budget or needing help to stretch resources for a specific period of time – by providing friendly and accessible sources of food for the students of The University of Wisconsin-Madison. They supply any UW-Madison student in need with free boxes of food packed and distributed by Second Harvest Foodbank. These boxes come in 10-15 lb sizes. Options vary weekly but various quantities of produce, dairy, and dry goods are typically available. The Open Seat has been operating continuously in a COVID safe way since March, and this semester they have expanded their operation to have three pick-up sites across campus.
Beginning the week of September 28, 2020, The Open Seat will have three locations for pick-up of food. The locations are Union South (by the parking circle on the Union Hotel side) from 12:00pm-1:00pm on Tuesdays, at Eagle Heights (at the picnic table in front of the community center) from 4:30pm-5:30pm on Wednesdays, or on East Campus Mall from 1:00pm-2:00pm on Fridays.
Students must order their boxes in advance using the order forms found below. Students can visit the pantry once, or come every week, and can order as much as they need.
If you are interested in picking up food on TUESDAY at UNION SOUTH, please fill out this form by 12:00pm on Thursday.
If you are interested in picking up food on WEDNESDAY at EAGLE HEIGHTS, please fill out this form by 12:00pm on Fridays.
If you are interested in picking up food on FRIDAYS at EAST CAMPUS MALL, please fill out this form by 12:00pm on Tuesdays.
For questions, contact openseat@asm.wisc.edu.