College Establishes Care Pantry

College Care

Establishes Pantry

After several years as a dream of many students, faculty and staff, the GGC Care Pantry is now a reality.

It’s hard for college students to meet the challenges of an academic environment. It’s even harder when they’re hungry and their access to food is limited.

With 81% of its students qualifying for financial aid and 52% qualifying for Pell grants, GGC is working to ensure that its students never have to choose between a meal and a utility bill, with the opening of its Care Pantry just before fall semester. The pantry stocks food provided by the Lawrenceville Co-Op Food Bank Ministry. Through the GGC Foundation's Student Emergency Fund, GGC can purchase nonfood items for distribution through the pantry. “The Care Pantry allows GGC to assist members of our Grizzly family who are unable to obtain enough food to sustain a healthy lifestyle,” said GGC President Jann L. Joseph. “Our food pantry contributes to the holistic success of students and is a welcomed relief for those who desperately need this service. The percentage of students who face food insecurity is surprisingly staggering.” A 2020 Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice report revealed that 39% of the 167,000 students surveyed across the nation in 2019 reported they were “food insecure.” The numbers across Georgia are consistent with national trends. A 2018 Hope Center survey found that 37% of students participating in the survey reported “low or very low” food security. A fall 2020 GGC survey conducted by Institutional Research and Analysis indicated that 19% of students knew someone who does not have enough to eat, 43.6% of students struggled to meet a need, and 24.5% of students were worried whether their food would run out before they could get more. The Care Pantry serves about 30 students/households per week. More than 4,000 items had been distributed as of press time. To support the Student Emergency Fund, which provides pantry supplies as well as tuition shortfalls and other urgent needs, visit www.ggcfoundation.org/giving.

Cutting the ribbon to open the Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) Care Pantry are Dr. Jann L. Joseph, president – GGC; Naiya Pate, acting president – GGC Student Government Association; Dr. Joyce Jones, vice chancellor for Student Affairs – University System of Georgia; Paula Anderson, pantry manager – Lawrenceville Co-Op and Glori Smith, communications coordinator – Lawrenceville Co-op. Students participate in a drumming session during the Grizzly Percussion clubs formative years.