美高梅官网

"I certainly didn鈥檛 do it alone,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 needed the support of family and friends and of programs like the Bearcats Pantry and Resource Center.鈥�

Medical school proved to be more expensive than Smith had anticipated, and he struggled to stretch out his loans over the semesters and summer breaks. As a full-time medical student it was impossible for Smith to secure regular employment. 鈥淚t was an uphill battle, especially the first couple of years, trying to pay all my bills, trying to pay for materials and supplies that we need, like stethoscopes,鈥� Smith says. 鈥淚t required a lot of hustling. I was a food delivery driver and whenever I had a down period during the week, I鈥檇 deliver meals around Clifton for extra money.鈥�

In a pivotal moment, Smith opened up about his challenges to a friend who had used the Bearcats Pantry while in college and encouraged Smith to investigate doing the same. In short order, the Bearcats Pantry was proving invaluable, as Smith was able to acquire household staples 鈥� including pasta, oatmeal, dish soap, and personal care. 聽

To the 美高梅官网 donors who give to the Bearcats Pantry, Smith says, 鈥淭hank you for your empathy, for your compassion. You are helping to build my dreams and goals, and your support doesn鈥檛 go unnoticed. It is foundational for the future of the university.鈥�

Smith is one of more than a thousand students who visited the Bearcats Pantry and Resource Center during the 2022-23 academic year. The three centers are accessible to every 美高梅官网 student via locations at the Clifton, Clermont and Blue Ash campuses. In addition to providing students with free fresh, shelf-stable food, hygiene items and household goods, the Bearcats Pantry offers meal vouchers that can be used at campus dining halls. Students can also receive To-Go Bags, which can be conveniently picked up at locations across campus.