Recently, about dozen TRIO students assisted in moving the Northeast Food Pantry on the Norfolk campus to a new location.
“We have an amazing group of students in the TRIO program, and we are so very appreciative of their willingness to support all of Northeast’s students by graciously taking on the task of relocating the food pantry from Simon (residence) Hall to its current location in the Lifelong Learning Center,” said Josh Becker, director of TRIO student support services at the College.
The food pantry at Northeast was established in 2018 after a survey determined a food insecurity issue on campus. Food insecurity can be defined as limited access to food, inability to get food or the lack of eating sufficiently throughout the day.
The survey indicated that 52-percent of students who participated were aware of another student who was food insecure, and approximately 30-percent of the students said they themselves had to skip meals because they did not have adequate funds for or access to food.
The pantry was moved to the Lifelong Learning Center, Suite 101, to make it more accessible to students. In order to access the pantry previously, individuals had to be escorted into Simon Hall by a resident assistant, which may have discouraged some from seeking out the service. Now, the pantry is open weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., so students, faculty or staff may drop in and take what they need.
“Members of the TRIO Club boxed up and hauled all items and supplies to the pantry’s new home,” Becker said. “This location should aid in accessibility for all Northeast students, and every student attending Northeast who may be in need are encouraged to utilize it.”
The pantry currently relies on donations, including non-perishable food and personal hygiene items, from Northeast faculty and staff. In addition to the food pantry, student activities, student health, the student leadership association, veteran’s lounge, and a student lounge are located in the Lifelong Learning Center, Suite 101.
TRIO is a federally funded program that serves and assists income-eligible individuals, first-generation college students and those with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs.
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PHOTO CUTLINE
Northeast Community College students Kristy Proctor, Columbus, (left) and Ashlyn Hamilton, Verdigre, stock items in the College’s Food Pantry. The pantry, established in 2018, was moved recently from Simon (residence hall) to the Lifelong Learning Center on the Norfolk campus.