Food Pantry opens on Owens Campus
The Owens Campus Food Pantry is working hard to get the word out. Through flyers and digital signage across campus, online portal messages and faculty emails, word is traveling fast.
While the pantry has been operating since December, it will have its grand opening on March 19 at 10 a.m. in the Student Services Center Dining Hall.
“We are so pleased to have this wonderful resource here on campus, and we’re really looking forward to students learning more about it,” says Dean of Student Affairs, Gail Charrier.
The pantry is open from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, and anytime classes are in session. Students can sign up for 20-minute shopping slots online twice a month.
“We provide non-perishable food items and also household and personal items [like] cleaning supplies and detergent. The ultimate goal is to address food insecurities that our students have so that they can focus on their goals, their academics, and their career,” said Charrier.
The sponsor of the food pantry, the Harry K Foundation, works through the Food Bank of Delaware to provide the food that is required for successfully stocked shelves. The foundation was established by England-born Harry Keswani, who learned about childhood starvation through his Indian parents.
“This is about the children in Delaware who don’t have enough to eat. We must work together to care for our children,” wrote Keswani.
The Foundation estimates that 4.3 percent of Delawareans experience very low food security, based on a 2009-2011 study.
“We try to erase barriers for our students, any obstacles on the way to success, so they can focus on their academics and graduation,” said Charrier.
Students can schedule appointments at this link or to get involved with volunteering by emailing Patrice Winder (pwinder1@dtcc.edu) for more information.
The food pantry is located in the dining room of the Student Services Center and is open by appointment only. Students can sign up for 20 minute slots online. Photo by L.Benedict
“I can see it making a difference with our students and their families because they tell us when they visit! In having this resource, they are able to focus more on their studies so they don’t have to worry,” said Dean Charrier. Photo by L. Benedict