Page 106 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2019

GivingBACK campus food pantries
Food for Thought
story and photos courtesy of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) is committed to providing an atmosphere that promotes academic and personal success for its students. One of the ways that mission is accomplished is through food pantries located at each campus and center, providing access to a variety
of food items for students and their families, and many full-meal options
as well. Additionally, the food pantries provide hygiene items and some of them offer a professional closet where students can get access to clothing and accessories for job interviews and other professional events.
“More and more college campuses are establishing food resources for students in need as a result of studies that indicate that many college students cannot afford to attend school and eat well,” said Dawn Buckley, director of Enrollment Services at the Jefferson Davis Campus. “Almost half of all college students worry that food will run out.”
In fact, food insecurity on college campuses has become a nationally recognized issue. Students want to attend college and spend their limited funds on tuition, transportation and, at times, childcare. Very little is left over
for meals. This often places an undue burden on students and prevents them from focusing on academics.
“The George County Center Phi Theta Kappa students decided this was a critical need at our campus,” said Gabbie Long, Phi Theta Kappa chapter president. “We are aware that food insecurity is a plight many face on campus and we want to ensure our students have a way to get help when they need it.”
Students in need of assistance are identified through an early alert system established at the college. Students can discuss their needs with faculty, advisors and college staff.
All of the information is kept strictly confidential. Students are allowed to visit the food pantry and clothes closet at their convenience.
To keep the pantries full, college clubs and organizations host food and clothing drives, and other events that raise awareness of the need for supplies.
“What is so awesome is that this
is a student-led idea to have food pantries on our campuses,” said Carin Platt, “They volunteer to work at the pantries, they host the food drives and they get out and talk about why we
need the pantries. They really get their fellow students involved.”
The Student Government Association sponsors the food pantry at the Jefferson Davis Campus. “Mac’s Helping Paws Food Pantry was created so that our community may provide students in need with a nutritious meal,” Terrell Jordan, Student Government Association president. “No student should have
to worry about where their next
meal may come from. The program is important because it allows students to give their full effort and focus to the pursuit of a higher education. Few may know that Mississippi is ranked first in the country for food insecurity and in areas called food deserts.
The SGA aims to raise awareness of this situation and to create lasting resources for students in need.”
Food Pantries and Professional Clothes Closets 228.896.2536 www.mgccc.edu/food-pantry
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