A first-ever food pantry for students has opened on the Dillingham Center campus of Alamance Community College (ACC) in Burlington.

 

The Dillingham Center food pantry complements the existing pantry located in the Student Support Center on the Carrington-Scott main campus.

 

“Non-traditional ACC students are about one and a half times more likely to experience food insecurity than traditional students. Many of them don’t fit between the high school to college pipeline, some are coming back to finish their degrees, and some have families. That can often mean they face financial difficulties,” said Kristina Torain, ACC’s HungerCorp/AmeriCorps VISTA representative tasked with combating food insecurity on campus this school year.

 

The College has initiated other food support programs in recent years. EZ Meals are prepared by the Culinary Arts program and offered free to students in a food locker. Horticulture Technology has put together a “Pick Your Own Garden” on the main campus, and information desk staff member Tina Glass coordinates Haw’s Snack Shoppe at Dillingham.

 

During the Dillingham pantry’s grand opening on October 7, the Dillingham Center’s student lounge was the site for a food demonstration by a Second Harvest Food Bank nutrition educator. The demo featured healthy meal prep, samples, and nutrition tips.

 

In addition, the college’s Adult Basic Literacy Education (ABLE) students travel weekly to Loy Farms in Elon to harvest fresh produce. Interested ACC staff and students can fill out a Google form once a week to receive a share of the harvest. The produce bags are typically ready for pickup on Tuesdays or Wednesdays at the Dillingham Center.

 

AmeriCorps VISTA’s Torain expressed appreciation to AmeriCorps, NC Campus Engagement, and past VISTA staff who “laid the groundwork to do some life-changing programs for our students.” The Second Harvest Food Bank is responsible for helping to maintain the Graham campus pantry and preparing the new Dillingham campus pantry.

 

The food pantry is in Room 130 on the Dillingham Center campus, located at 1304 Plaza Drive at exit 145 in Burlington.

 

For more information about the Dillingham Center food pantry, contact Kristina Torain, ACC’s HungerCorp/AmeriCorps VISTA representative at ketorain052@alamancecc.edu.