Lees-McRae College
IN-14: Food Bank

Location: The Food Pantry is located in the hallway/waiting area for health services in the Canon Student Center.

Who it serves: The pantry primarily serves the students of LMC, although during the first year of the COVID pandemic

several folks in student affairs suggested some of the employees of the housekeeping and food service staff utilized the pantry as a food source.

Who stocks it: The pantry was stocked several years by my church (Banner Elk UMC).

Last year we worked with Feeding Avery Families and several folks from

Banner Elk Presbyterian as source for food items.

Common Ground, LMC555, and a few others student groups have overseen the pantry.

Impact it makes/can make: Here is the interesting part.

According to Jon Kokos, "All resident students are required to have a full meal plan, regardless of housing location,

unless they request a medical or religious exemption. Only a handful of students have that exemption."

As such there should never be a case of "food insecurity" so to speak. Perhaps some commuter students,

or the few who live off campus might face that challenge.

However, the pantry when filled with the "right" items, has needed replenishment on a regular basis.

Statistically speaking (you may know this) there is a problem with food insecurity on college campuses.

I have several campus minister friends across the State of NC who have shared rather surprising numbers

on food insecurity and in some cases homelessness. One in particular is at UNC Greensboro.

Here are a few articles with fairly recent data on food insecurity and the negative impact on graduation rates.

https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/forefront.20220127.264905

According to the most recent Hope Survey from fall 2020, 38 percent of students in two-year colleges and 29 percent of students

at four-year colleges reported experiencing food insecurity in the previous 30 days.

***The report also highlighted significant racial and ethnic disparities: 75 percent of Indigenous, 70 percent Black,

and 70 percent of American Indian or Alaska Native students experienced food insecurity,

housing insecurity or homelessness, compared to 54 percent of White students.

https://www.feedingamerica.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/College_LISTENING_REPORT_2020.pdf

Interesting Article

https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2021/food-insecurity-during-college-years-linked-to-lower-graduation-rate

A study led by a researcher at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that food insecurity

among college students is associated with lower college graduation rates and lower chances of obtaining a bachelor’s or advanced degree.

Hannah Finkelstein applied for a grant of some sort a few years back.

I went through some of my files to see if I could locate it, no luck.

I do recall writing a letter as a Local Pastor in the area in support of the grant.

Below is a list of “most requested” items.

The list was compiled by Hannah Finkelstein when she worked here.

When she started the pantry, we faced several obstacles on accessibility.

The previous Dean of Students did not want the waiting area where the pantry is located

to remain unlocked after 5 pm. Finally a resolution was offered and the window for access opened a bit.

Regular items like canned veggies were not typically stocked, as most students have no way to prepare them

There was a small refrigerator at one point in time. The last time I looked it was not there.

Peanut butter crackers
Ramen noodles
Freeze dried or dehydrated fruits
Nuts and seeds
Single serve packets of peanut butter
Canned tuna or salmon (the packs with an easy open tab)
Jerky
Canned fruit
Applesauce
Cereal
Cereal bars
Fruit and veggie squeeze packs
Individual servings of milk -We do have a fridge!
Chocolate
Crackers or pretzels
Granola bars
Microwaveable Mac n Cheese or Soups
Personal hygiene items