The Student Success Center is helping students and families in need with a new food pantry. The pantry offers food and hygiene products to anyone who needs them, especially during the SNAP benefit shutdown and holiday season.
Counselor Kelly Carling said the pantry was designed to be simple and discreet.
“We thought it would be a good idea to have food and hygiene products readily available to anybody who needs it, whether it’s staff, our students or their siblings,” Carlig said. “We put bags out so people can just grab what they need. It’s also a space where people can bring items they don’t need anymore.”
Carling said the pantry’s location at the back of the Success Center makes it easy for anyone to use without feeling awkward.
“Other places have food or clothing assistance, but sometimes you have to talk to somebody. Here, it’s grab-and-go. Truly, it’s for anyone who needs it,” Carlig said.
Media specialist Debby Lopez helped stock the pantry, and said her own experiences inspired her to help.
“During high school, I often went hungry and couldn’t afford lunch,” she said. “No student should worry about where their next meal is coming from. We have to prioritize the most vulnerable. No family should face hunger, no matter the circumstances.”
The pantry now serves students, staff and families, helping the community stay supported and connected during a time when access to basic needs can be uncertain.
