CCRI Launches Food Pantry For Students

LINCOLN, R.I. — The Community College of Rhode Island has opened a food pantry for enrolled students. The pantry officially opened on Monday at the school's Lincoln campus, though assistance will be available on campuses across the state.

"We know the challenges our students face outside the classroom every day – housing, childcare, transportation, and yes, hunger. If our students are forced to choose between staying in school or picking up an extra shift or even taking on a second job to pay for basic human needs, they are more likely to drop courses or drop out, deferring – or abandoning - the opportunity for a brighter future. With the opening of the food pantry, we are going to change that," said CCRI President Meghan Hughes.

Hunger is a pervasive issue on college campuses, with 57 percent of African-American students and 56 percent of first-generation college students report hunger, according to a press release from CCRI.

The food pantry was created through donations collected at a fundraiser last year, including Chairman, President and CEO of Amica Mutual Insurance Company Bob DiMuccio and his wife Rena and President and CEO of BlueCross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island Kim Keck and her husband Phil. The pantry will continue to accept donations from the community.

"It’s impossible to be successful at anything if you are hungry and wondering about where your next meal is coming from," Kim Kenck said. "Phil and I felt very strongly about supporting the food pantry, an initiative we know will make a difference in the lives of CCRI students and their families. This is the kind of investment that yields short and long-term returns."

The food pantry, located in room 1313 on the Lincoln campus, is staffed by volunteers and is open during the week at the following times:

Monday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Tuesday 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Thursday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

The food pantry officially opened Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Associated Press reported. The pantry provides nonperishable food staples and toiletries to those students who need them.

Students not on the Lincoln campus can receive food assistance by requesting a delivery to CCRI's Warwick, Newport or Providence campuses. Delivery requests can be submitted online, and students don't have to demonstrate need in order to qualify.

A report published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office in December said that low income is the biggest risk factor for food insecurity on college campuses. With the number of students receiving Pell Grants doubling since 1999 and the vast majority of students classified as "nontraditional students," or those who do not attend full-time, are not financially dependent on their parents and have no children, it is no surprise that increasing numbers of students can't afford enough food.

"Some researchers have suggested that reductions in federal and state funding of higher education relative to the increasing cost of college have coupled with these student demographics to increase the share of college costs borne by students, which can reduce the amount students have to support their basic needs, such as food and housing," the report read in part.