The Grocery Resource at Baylor, better known as the GRAB, opened for Baylor students in August 2022, after a survey of students indicated that some were experiencing food insecurity or needed help stocking their pantries. Since then, the need has only grown, and one thing has become apparent – it takes a village to organize and run the food pantry.

The GRAB organizers in the Office of Communications and Community Outreach put out a call for volunteers, and the Baylor community answered big time! Each Tuesday, employees from Baylor departments, centers, offices and clinics can be found at the GRAB, located in the basement of the Cullen Building, helping to fill grocery bags, unpack boxes and restock shelves. Volunteers spend anywhere from a half an hour to an hour-and-a-half each week.

The bags are picked up by students on Thursdays and Fridays. They are filled with non-perishable goods – from breakfast items like cereal and oatmeal to canned fruits and vegetables and canned chicken and tuna, as well as shelf-stable milk, cooking oil and more – that they select from a “menu” of available items. In addition, students can add hygiene products and spices to their weekly grocery bag.

Megan Watts, administrator in the Department of Anesthesiology, volunteered at the GRAB this fall. Joining her were Rachel Freeman, Darryl Robertson, Dr. James Anton, Keturah Ramirez, Michelle Farley, Marie (Dede) Sanchez, Dr. Cameron Dezfulian, Dr. Wesley Dupriest, Suman Rajagopalan, Stephen Hunt, Sarah Prompuntagorn and Brasheeda Jeter.

“We found the experience incredibly rewarding!” Watts said. “One of Anesthesiology’s core values is serving our community, and volunteering with the GRAB pantry allowed us to directly support the BCM community. The on-campus location made it easy for faculty and staff from our business office, Ben Taub and Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center (BSLMC) to form groups and walk over together. It was also a way to give back without having to clear an entire day of clinical or administrative responsibilities.”

Another group that volunteered at the food pantry was the Compensation team from the Office of Human Resources. The group included senior manager in compensation Felicia McKnight along with Adreliz Calzada-Rivera, Marcela Navarro, Jasmine Tannous, Daniel Oxenreiter, Brittany Dyer and Titus John.

“This year, each Compensation team member was tasked with planning an in-person team activity. Since we are 100% remote work, this affords us the opportunity to see each other in person while doing a meaningful activity. We were unaware there was a BCM food pantry until I read about it in the NewsLink newsletter,” McKnight said. “I thought the volunteer experience was something different we could do that allowed us to perform community service for our student population. The experience was fulfilling knowing someone in need would benefit from our efforts.”

In addition to the satisfaction in helping others, volunteers at the GRAB can now earn BCM BeWell points through the Asset Health platform. From the Health Community section, click on Health Community Self-Reported Activities and then select Volunteer with a Local Charitable Organization. If a document of proof is required, submit your email confirmation of your GRAB volunteer date.

Watts said that volunteering at the GRAB is an activity she definitely would recommend. “Every volunteer expressed interest in returning to help again. The community outreach team, led by Alex Alanis, was incredibly responsive in scheduling and provided clear information about the GRAB pantry and our responsibilities for the day. The atmosphere was relaxed and fun, which made the experience even more enjoyable.”

To volunteer, complete this form. See the slideshow gallery below for several groups that have volunteered at the GRAB in 2025.

By Dana Benson, director of communications in the Office of Communications and Community Outreach