Editor’s Note: November is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week—a time dedicated to shedding light on the challenges faced by those struggling with food insecurity or housing instability. At Front Range Community College, we’re taking this week to highlight the ways our students and staff are making a difference right here on campus.
One of the most impactful resources at FRCC is the Wolf Pantry, an effort to ensure that no one in our community goes without essential food and hygiene items. Now let’s hear from FRCC student Ella Kohrmann, who has been a key part of the Wolf Pantry team for years:
My Journey with the Wolf Pantry
This fall marks my fourth year working in the Wolf Pantry, and during that time, I’ve seen this incredible resource transform in many ways. Some changes have been small, but others—like a seemingly simple move across campus—have allowed us to drastically increase our usage and accessibility.
What Is the Wolf Pantry?
Before I dive in, I’m sure some of you are wondering what exactly the Wolf Pantry is. The Wolf Pantry offers free food assistance for students, faculty, instructors and staff at all three FRCC campuses. This resource is available to FRCC students and employees, regardless of income, and stocks a variety of food items such as peanut butter, canned goods, snacks, frozen items, fresh fruits and vegetables and hygiene products.
Our mission: To address food insecurity in our community by making food more accessible to our students and employees on campus.
Thanks to a partnership with the Food Bank of Larimer County and generous donations from the community, this resource grows stronger every year.
A Big Move with a Big Impact
Founded by Mary Hill in 2014, our pantry has seen plenty of change throughout the years. When I first started as a work study, the Wolf Pantry (then called Food for Thought) operated out of a shed on the outskirts of campus near the greenhouse. It was quite a nice space, but being tucked away made it hard for many shoppers to find—and worst of all, the steps leading into it created an accessibility issue for anyone with mobility difficulties.
In the summer of 2023, we moved the Wolf Pantry into the Student Life Offices in the Longs Peak Student Center, putting it right in the heart of campus. This central location provided us with much-needed visibility and, for the first time, proximity to heavy foot traffic.
The impact was immediate. Comparing just the fall semesters of 2023 and 2024, the number of bags we distributed more than doubled year over year. We now have more than 900 shoppers in our system. It’s been an honor to watch the Wolf Pantry grow as a resource and to see firsthand the impact we have on our college community.
Accessibility Matters
This move across campus was also a huge win for accessibility. In the shed, when a student who used a wheelchair needed to access the pantry, they were unable to enter due to the steps. I was happy to pack a bag for them, but many shoppers expressed disappointment that they weren’t able to shop for themselves.
Our new location accommodates all levels of mobility. Shoppers can browse the shelves, make choices based on their needs and feel like they belong.
Breaking the Stigma
From a shed on the outskirts of campus to our new home in the Student Life Offices, the Wolf Pantry has had quite the glow-up. I’m endlessly proud of how far our team has come, but there’s always more room to grow.
The biggest obstacle I run into every day is the guilt and shame that society often attaches to receiving food assistance. Shoppers frequently express fear that they are taking from others, or that their need isn’t “important enough” to justify accepting help.
I’d like to take this opportunity to put those worries to rest. Supporting yourself with a food resource like the Wolf Pantry does not take away resources from others. Your level of need doesn’t have to be dire to warrant support. This is a community resource—and you are a part of our community. Everyone belongs here on campus, and everyone belongs in the Wolf Pantry, too.
Recognizing the Unhoused
During this week, I’d like to take the opportunity to highlight another community—the unhoused, or more accurately, the neglected.
The rate of homelessness in Colorado continues to rise, and there’s a harmful assumption that unhoused individuals are in their situation due to some personal fault. People often assume that homelessness stems from laziness or addiction, but those assumptions overlook the systemic barriers that truly cause this issue.
Many people with disabilities face significant challenges finding jobs that accommodate their needs, leaving them without income to afford housing. Without a permanent address, many employers won’t even accept a job application, creating a cycle that’s hard to break.
Homelessness is a community problem, and it’s our duty as fellow humans to help provide basic necessities for these neglected individuals. Local groups in Fort Collins, such as Food Not Bombs, work hard to provide essential resources for our unhoused neighbors. If you’re ready to take action, find local programs that address these issues and donate your time.
We have more power than we realize—and when we come together as a community, we can make a real difference.
Want to help?
Learn more about the Wolf Pantry and how to donate or volunteer here. Together, we can build a stronger, more supportive campus for everyone.
