Ensuring students thrive – MCC student focused food pantry
MCC Food Pantry
MARSHALLTOWN & GRINNELL – In a recent initiative, Marshalltown Community College, is working to bolster student success and well-being, by creating a student-focused food pantry in aims to alleviate food insecurity among students.
Employees at the college recognized the need for the food pantry and when stories were being shared by students of their financial struggles. One of the organizers of the food pantry and current faculty member Ed Jorgensen shared, “Students were sharing stories about the financial choices they were having to make. Do I fix my vehicle to get to work and school? Do I pay my rent? Or do I buy food? We saw the need and knew we had to take steps to help our students.”
Hearing the financial struggles facing students, MCC wanted to create a food pantry but to receive grants and funding they had to be up and functional which also costs money. Through a generous $800 donation from Robert (Bob) Hamilton, faculty donations and a raffle of donated prizes, MCC was able to get the pantry up and running at both the Marshalltown location as well as Iowa Valley Grinnell.
Hamilton recently lost his battle with cancer and in his final wishes he continued to support the food pantry for students. The Hamilton family asked that memorial contributions be made in his honor to Iowa Valley Community College Food Pantry. Over $4,000 was raised to help students.
“Due to the generosity of the Hamilton family, many of the MCC and Iowa Valley Grinnell students, will be able to benefit from the food purchased through donations on Bob’s behalf,” commented MCC Provost, Robin Shaffer Lilienthal. “Their thoughtfulness will be felt by many of our students.”
If you would like to donate to the MCC Food Pantry contact the MCC Foundation at 641-844-5747 or contact Jorgensen at Edward.Jorgensen@iavalley.edu or call 641-844-5723.
The food pantry is available to students on both the Marshalltown and Iowa Valley Grinnell campus. Faculty will routinely announce the location and information to students during class. There is also signage throughout both locations to help direct students. Students can speak to any employees on campus that they feel comfortable with, and they will be assisted on how they can access these services.
IVG Food Pantry