In 2016, a group of ambitious student leaders at The University of Texas at Austin recognized a need for a food pantry and career closet on the Forty Acres.
Nearly a decade later — with the support of University leadership and campus and community partners including H-E-B and Central Texas Food Bank — UT Outpost has unveiled its new location in the Student Services Building. With a new, expanded space in the center of campus, UT Outpost will be able to broaden its reach and deepen its impact for students.
“Our mission at this University is to transform lives for the benefit of society, and this is a place where it happens — one student at a time,” said UT President Jim Davis.
So how did a student-led initiative evolve into one of UT’s most impactful support resources?
The foundation was laid in 2017 when Will Ross, the UT Outpost’s first coordinator, established the food pantry and organized the program’s first food drive, before it was even known as the UT Outpost. By January 2018, the pantry held a soft opening at its original location on University Avenue. Momentum continued to build, and in 2019 the space expanded and celebrated its grand opening, solidifying partnerships with local organizations such as Keep Austin Fed.
Like many campus services, the UT Outpost adapted in 2020 by transitioning to an online ordering system. When in-person services resumed in 2021, the Outpost came back stronger than ever, expanding its offerings to include a career closet that provides students with free professional clothing. Since then, the team has grown, and initiatives such as the Red River Food Fight, SEC Food Fight and hydroponic tower harvests have further strengthened the program’s impact.
The opening of the new Student Services Building location represents the most significant development yet and ushers in an exciting new chapter for the UT Outpost on the Forty Acres.
During her speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, student leadership board member Jane Goldberg reflected on the impact of UT Outpost.
“If I had to sum up my experience here in one word, it would be community,” Goldberg said. “The food pantry and career closet are such pivotal resources that allow students to focus on their academic, professional and personal endeavors without worry.”
At the new location, students can shop for up to 20 pounds of food each month, personal care items and two professional outfits from the career closet each term. Consistent access to these essentials in a central, on-campus location can make a meaningful difference for students managing tight budgets, busy schedules and the pressures of college life.
With this expansion, UT Outpost strengthens its role as a source of stability, allowing students to focus on their education, pursue opportunities with confidence, and fully engage in the incredible college experience that the Forty Acres offers.
