Fighting college hunger on campus by spreading awareness of resources.
Editor’s Note: This news release was written by the Food Bank for Larimer County.
Front Range Community College will host its first-ever free mobile food market with a drive to help more students connect with available hunger-relief resources on campus.
The effort is made in partnership with Food Bank for Larimer County and as part of a broader goal to expand hunger-relief resources with its neighboring college, Colorado State University.
The mobile market will take place September 8 at Front Range Community College’s Larimer Campus. The mobile food pantry will offer a variety of no-cost food options for students to choose from. In case of inclement weather, the pantry will take place in the community room.
What:
Mobile Food Pantry
Where:
FRCC Larimer Campus
4616 S. Shields St. in Fort Collins
In the courtyard behind the Longs Peak Student Center
When:
Tuesday, September 8
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Success for Every Student
“We know it’s hard for students to focus on their learning when they’re worried about where their next meal is coming from,” said Kyla Antony, interim VP of Enrollment Management & Student Success. “Ensuring students’ basic needs are met is a crucial step in making sure all students can succeed at FRCC. That’s why fighting hunger on our campuses is a top priority for our college.”
With a growing need to address food insecurity on college campuses, FRCC Wellness Programs Coordinator Nichole Priestley shared that the major goal of the mobile food pantry is to raise awareness about hunger-relief resources on campus. Staff hopes to increase regular access of food options at the permanent on campus pantry called the WOLF (Wolves Overcoming Lack of Food) Pantry. This on-campus resource provides no-cost food and essentials for students, staff, faculty, and instructors.
The WOLF Pantry Is for Everyone
In the last school year, Priestley said Front Range saw roughly 2,600 visits to the Larimer County pantry.
“Even though we have signage everywhere, I meet students all the time who have no idea there’s a pantry on campus… or they think they have to prove financial need or that the registration process is hard or lengthy,” Priestley said. “Our WOLF Pantry is for everyone on campus and it’s really easy to access.”
Wolves and Rams, Stronger Together
To gather inspiration and share ideas for launching a mobile market, Priestley said Front Range connected with its neighboring collegiate nutritional service program: Rams Against Hunger at Colorado State University. Rams Against Hunger hosts its own mobile markets and provides students, staff and faculty with an on-campus food pantry.
CSU Senior Program Coordinator for Basic Needs Kathryn Conrad said that in the last school year, the college saw around 15,000 visits to its on-campus pantry, underscoring the need for this service. Conrad added that added with many transfers arriving at CSU from FRCC, sharing ideas for distributing food presents an opportunity to expand community resources, while fighting stigma around college food insecurity.
LCFB Support
For its part, Food Bank for Larimer County provides food to both CSU and FRCC for their hunger-relief operations. “Together, we can reach more people who need the resources when we partner,” said Food Bank for Larimer County CEO Amy Pezzani.
“We are proud to be part of this collective effort to help students and faculty have the nutrition they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond,” Pezzani said.
The fall mobile market will be the first of two mobile markets to be hosted by Front Range every year, including a spring mobile market that is slated for April 6.
Media Contact:
For more information, reach out to Kelsey Hammon, senior communications coordinator, at khammon@foodbanklarimer.org; 970-457-7270
