HutchCC food pantry needing donations

By Cassidy Peterson
Staff writer
thehutchinsoncollegian@gmail.com

Last year, the Student Success Center counselors received a grant to start a food pantry for Hutchinson Community College students.

The pantry, located on the main floor of Rimmer Learning Resource Center, has been providing students with fresh produce and canned goods alike for the past year, but the grant was for only one year, and more products are always needed.

“About 40% to 60% of college students, depending on where you get your statistics, are food insecure,” said Debbie Graber, Coordinator of Counseling and Social Work Services.

She also said that there is a need for the food pantry at HutchCC and that students will often be unsuccessful without food. That is why there are several pantry locations, including in the Rimmer Learning Center, HutchCC Cosmetology, Davis Hall, Peel Center, McPherson, and Newton campuses.

The pantries are restocked at least once a week, and provide items students can pick up whenever.

Graber said that some funding is left over to continue to get produce from Smith’s Market this year. Although, without the grant that was given last year, the pantry will need more support this year. The Honors students are working closely with the Student Success Center to put on a campus-wide food drive on Oct. 16. More donations can either be in the form of money or food items.

The items that Graber said are always needed are cups of macaroni and cheese, canned fruits, canned soup, anything that is microwavable, peanut butter, and jelly.

To get more details or to drop off donations stop by the Student Success Center inside of the Parker Student Union, or call 620-665-337.

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