Free, healthy food for students in need
No one wants their children going to bed hungry any time of the year, but empty stomachs can be especially heartbreaking during the holiday season. According to Feeding America Research, food insecurity is a monumental issue in the United States. In 2014, 48.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households, including 32.8 million adults and 15.3 million children.
Other statistics show the depth of the problem:
- 14 percent of households (17.4 million households) were food insecure
- 6 percent of households (6.9 million households) experienced very low food security
- Households with children reported food insecurity at a significantly higher rate than those without children—19 percent compared to 12 percent.
- In 2013, 5.4 million seniors (over age 60), or 9 percent of all seniors were food insecure
- Food insecurity exists in every county in America, ranging from a low of 4 percent in Slope County, North Dakota, to a high of 33 percent in Humphreys County, Mississippi
Tom Reis, a humans services instructor and VIBE faculty co-advisor at Inver Hills Community College, wants the campus community to know about an important resource called the Mobile Pantry.
“Fifty-seven percent of our students are self-identified as lower income,” Tom said, “but the Mobile Pantry remains underutilized. The day before Thanksgiving this year, only three students took advantage of the free food offered by the Mobile Pantry.”
The Mobile Pantry
On campus every Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m.
Contact an Inver Hills counselor to learn more.
Tom looks to heighten awareness of the Mobile Pantry on campus and asks fellow faculty to mention the resource in their syllabi for spring semester 2016 and on D2L Brightspace.
“One of the fastest growing segments in our student population across the U.S. is the ‘almost poor’ or the ‘almost homeless,'” Tom said. “Students in this situation manage to pay their tuition and rent, but that can mean they have trouble affording food.”
The Mobile Pantry
Inver Hills partners with The Open Door, formerly the Eagan & Lakeville Resource Centers, to deliver the Mobile Pantry on campus. The Mobile Pantry provides free food support for Inver Hills students in need.
Quick facts
The Mobile Pantry is available to Inver Hills students who need food for themselves or their dependents. No income requirements or residency restrictions apply.
On campus every Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m.
You need to schedule an appointment in advance through an Inver Hills counselor. You can contact a counselor at 651-450-3508. The counselor will meet with you to schedule a confidential Mobile Pantry appointment while providing additional resources that may be available to you such as SNAP, WIC, health care support and tax benefits.
You can shop and select the foods you and your dependents need. Seventy percent of the foods available are perishable and wholesome, including:
- Milk and other dairy products
- Eggs
- Meat
- Chicken
- Fish
To learn more about the Mobile Pantry, contact:
Counseling
651-450-3508
College Center
The Open Door, Eagan
3904 Cedar Grove Parkway
Client Appointment Line: 651-686-0787
The Open Door, Lakeville
20730 Holyoke Ave, Suite 139 & 146
Lakeville Mall, Downtown
Business and Appointment Line: 952-469-3444
The Mobile Pantry®
7707 147th Street West, Apple Valley
Client Appointment Line:
651-686-0787
It is a good social activity. I personally strongly support this event, hopefully with this activity children or students hunger decreases.
this is a great program, a good variety of foods for those in need to supplement there food intake for the month.