College Community Stocks Up For New Student Food Pantry
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: September 28, 2012
The latest pew research studies reveal one in five U.S. households now owes student debt loans.
More and more students are struggling economically and one local college is offering a helping hand.
Take a walk at Cisco College's Abilene campus and you'd never guess whats behind this closed door.
Open it and you wont find a classroom- you'll find a hidden pantry.
"Food is a small way that we can help them meet their needs," said Linda Grant a counselor at Cisco College's Abilene campus.
But it wont stay hidden for long.
Soon it will provide much needed food, toiletries and other supplies to students.
It all began after two faculty members noticed a need.
"We have a number of students who are either homeless or have been homeless and their needs are not only for a place to live, but for food, for shelter," said Grant.
"What Ive realized over time is that parents used to be students stability but now parents are having trouble financially and sot the students don't have anyone to fall back on," said Kathy Kennedy, a professor at Cisco College also involved with the project.
After two years of planning- they're now ready to open the food for thought food pantry.
"Our plan right now is to be open twice a week," said Grant.
More than half of college students in the us have some kind of financial debt.
Students like Eliza Harding know first hand the struggles many students face.
"Pretty tough, thankfully I have a roommate so that helps me out a lot but living alone is pretty tough with, bills, food, school," she said.
And for now there really are no limits as to what or how much students can take.
They can simply drop by and grab what they need the most.
The pantry isn't just for taking.
Bins been placed around the campus so students and anyone else can drop off items.
"It's exciting, its exciting because we've had community involvement and our students are great givers," said Grant.
It's a way for the entire campus community to lend a hand and have support- now that's food for thought.
The "Food for Thought" food pantry will officially open its doors Oct.22.
For now, students or anyone interested can donate items at the campus.
More and more students are struggling economically and one local college is offering a helping hand.
Take a walk at Cisco College's Abilene campus and you'd never guess whats behind this closed door.
Open it and you wont find a classroom- you'll find a hidden pantry.
"Food is a small way that we can help them meet their needs," said Linda Grant a counselor at Cisco College's Abilene campus.
But it wont stay hidden for long.
Soon it will provide much needed food, toiletries and other supplies to students.
It all began after two faculty members noticed a need.
"We have a number of students who are either homeless or have been homeless and their needs are not only for a place to live, but for food, for shelter," said Grant.
"What Ive realized over time is that parents used to be students stability but now parents are having trouble financially and sot the students don't have anyone to fall back on," said Kathy Kennedy, a professor at Cisco College also involved with the project.
After two years of planning- they're now ready to open the food for thought food pantry.
"Our plan right now is to be open twice a week," said Grant.
More than half of college students in the us have some kind of financial debt.
Students like Eliza Harding know first hand the struggles many students face.
"Pretty tough, thankfully I have a roommate so that helps me out a lot but living alone is pretty tough with, bills, food, school," she said.
And for now there really are no limits as to what or how much students can take.
They can simply drop by and grab what they need the most.
The pantry isn't just for taking.
Bins been placed around the campus so students and anyone else can drop off items.
"It's exciting, its exciting because we've had community involvement and our students are great givers," said Grant.
It's a way for the entire campus community to lend a hand and have support- now that's food for thought.
The "Food for Thought" food pantry will officially open its doors Oct.22.
For now, students or anyone interested can donate items at the campus.
