Food pantry expansion, Meals Appeal donation campaign aim to meet rising needs

An expanded Madison College food pantry will support a growing number of food-insecure students on campus.

The new operational space, expected to open in May, replaces the previous small 14 x 14 closet, providing more pantry shelving, storage, and emergency food lockers. The space has a refrigerator, so the pantry can distribute perishable items and produce from the Madison College Garden and the Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens. 

The renovation also features a Student Wellness Center for health and wellness programming coordinated by the Peer Health Educator Organization and private office spaces.

Peer Health Educator Riley Conklin is excited about the expansion. "We are going to have many more opportunities to help students, carry more items at the pantry, and be a more welcoming space," Conklin says.

A future e-pantry initiative will allow students to order the food and personal care items they need, which wasn't possible in the old, cramped space.

Denise Holin, student health educator, says that last year, the pantry helped nearly 1,600 students and distributed more than 20,000 pounds of food and household supplies.

"It is just incredible to have the support from Madison College for this expansion, because of this, we can increase the programming and educational component of the Cupboard Student Food Pantry, which is just as important as the weekly food," said Holin.  

Under inflation and skyrocketing rents, Madison College students and their families face food insecurity, an official term for limited or inconsistent access to healthy and affordable food. Lack of sufficient food or worrying about where the next meal will come from can negatively impact a student's academic performance and mental and physical health. 

Meals Appeal campaign

The expansion is just one way Madison College is helping students. 

The Madison College Foundation launched a Meals Appeal Campaign this month. Until May 12, donations of up to $20,000 will be matched. 

"The hard truth is that when students' money for food runs out, it hinders their ability to perform their best. We want to ensure students aren't denied educational success due to a lack of food and other essential items," says Bryan Woodhouse, Madison College Foundation vice-president of development.

The foundation also provides students with emergency grant funds to cover housing, rent, utilities, transportation, and unexpected essential expenses. Woodhouse says the needs rise each year.

“Students often face numerous challenges that prevent them from starting or completing their semesters," Woodhouse says. "They are eager to finish their programs and secure stable careers, but getting to class becomes nearly impossible when they struggle to afford necessities like food, rent, or car repairs. We must address these critical issues to help them succeed.”

New pantry opens its doors

To prepare for the pantry's May opening, Peer Health educator Nancy Michel Campos has been stocking the shelves and getting ready for new customers.

As an international student from Ecuador, Campos was surprised to learn of food pantries in the U.S. Now, she's telling others about them and how students can get 10 pounds of food each week, along with health and nutrition information. The new pantry will feature a wider variety of foods that international students are more familiar with, such as fresh foods and specialty offerings.

"My biggest motivation is to connect students with resources, especially international students who may not be familiar with food pantries," Campos says. 

She also wants students to feel like they belong. “The first step is to talk about food insecurity, share resources with them, and let them know that they are not alone, and we are here to help.”