Campus Food Pantry Provides for Students
by Karl Heine
According to a recent survey done by the University of Wisconsin says that 30% of students on college campuses are food insecure. The Family Pantry of Cape Cod Community College (4Cs), located in the Life Fitness Center, is an excellent means to solve hunger on campus.
“This year I feel like there’s been more than ever,” says Anne Schutle, a third-year volunteer at the Family Pantry. A retired administrative assistant for a property management firm, Schulte says the pantry doesn’t want people to be hungry. “A full bag, once a week, no questions asked.”
Photo: Volunteer Bob Shulte. Photo by: Karl Heine
You must provide a valid and current 4Cs ID, as well as another form of valid identification. There is no financial verification required. Any student, faculty, staff, or family member of the Children’s College is eligible to use the Pantry. Upon arrival, you will receive a Family Pantry ID card, which you will need to present each time you go.
Each person is limited to one bag of food each week; however, everyone is welcome to choose the foods they wish to eat. Each bag is worth the equivalent of $50.00 worth of food. The family pantry also offers a recipe of the week, which is comprised of a 3-4 ingredient package that, altogether, completes the recipe.
The pantry manages to maintain consistent inventory, so members can plan their shopping around their weekly usual bag.
“The cost of living on the Cape is very high, people are juggling family, work, and school. The pantry provides a small relief,” said Kelly Brox, manager of the pantry. The Family Pantry does provide other small reliefs too offering free snacks for members of the 4Cs community to come by and eat throughout the day.
The Family Pantry provides a variety of dietary needs. Including but not limited to cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix, rice, peanut butter, jelly, canned goods, mashed potatoes, canned fruit, juice, tuna, and pasta.
The Family Pantry is funded by the Harwich pantry, which is in turn funded by the Greater Boston Food Bank. Located precisely at PE-G13 in the Life Fitness Center, the Pantry can be reached 508-362-2131 ext. 4365. The Family Pantry can also be found on Facebook at The Family Pantry of Cape Cod Community College.
The Family Pantry of Cape Cod on campus is a smart solution to the widespread
problem of hunger on Cape Cod. With weekly bundles of food available to students, staff, faculty, and family members of the Children’s College, the Family Pantry of Cape Cod Community College seeks to aid in ending hunger on campus.
For information about how to donate or volunteer for The Family Food Pantry of Cape Cod visit their website at https://www.thefamilypantry.com/.
Hours of operation for the pantry are Monday 9:30am–12:30pm, Tuesday 10:00am–2:00pm, and Wednesday 10:00am–12:30pm, all members of the 4Cs community are welcome to stop by and grab some grub.
Categories: Featured, Around Campus, Food, Student Life