The Montage Student Newspaper

Page 1

VOLUME 55, ISSUE 6

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NOVEMBER 14, 2019

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WWW.MERAMECMONTAGE.COM

Art & Life:

Biologist without Borders Story on page 5

News:

Brown Bag Café: Destigmatizing Hunger

Sports:

Region XVI CHAMPIONS Ashley Biundo

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Campus food pantry inspired by students EVE COHEN STAFF WRITER Based on data reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, from 2012 to 2014 approximately 16 percent of Missouri households did not have adequate access to food at some point throughout the year. Although hunger is a social and economic issue that remains in the shadows, widespread socio-economic inequality make the topic of food insecurity more diffused among the population. To a large segment of the population, economic trends do not carry the same meaning as the number of people affected by the uncertainty of poverty remains somewhat consistent. The Meramec campus is a leader in this respect. In 2012, inspired by an informal campuswide survey administered by her English Composition II course, former Meramec student Debbie Caby pursued and developed a solution to the pressing social concern through an honors contract. According to Deborah Corson, Meramec coordinator of Service Learning and the Service Works Club, Caby worked with four different campus departments to get the project started. “Pam Garvey’s class did [the initial] campus survey, and four groups got together: Service Learning, TRIO, Student Assistance Program and Campus Life. They met a lot. TRIO’s student leadership board wrote up a proposal and got it approved by Student Affairs, [then] Campus Life provided a space. The Student Assistance Program oversaw the distribution to students, [and] Service Learning helped to fundraise and food raise,” she said. The program evolved. “At first [they] were in a closet.” It started out giving just some lunches, now [they] give groceries every two weeks,” she said. The Brown Bag Café earned an award from STLCC for innovation in 2015. Shannon Nicholson, Student Assistance Program Coordinator, was hired

in 2016. She oversees day-to-day operations of which the Brown Bag Café is now a large part. “[The Brown Bag Café] is a valuable resource. [It’s what] drew me to the work,” she said. The Brown Bag Café is located in Clark Hall, room AD 120. One peek inside the room where students come to pick up edibles throughout the day, it appears relatively understated. However, there is an adequate stock of provisions, both perishable and fresh. A fully stocked refrigerator contains a variety of fresh, store quality fruit and vegetables: packages of grapes, organic apples, and bags of peppers, organic carrots, and other packaged leafy vegetables. On a corner table, and in the freezer, there are various loaves of bread. There is a bin of bananas, regular and organic. The overall selection of items appears generally nutritional, in addition to an arrangement of processed foods, and smaller single serve food products. As for the traffic, Nicholson said, “We get about 30 visitors a day… [We] rely heavily on donations,” which also include personal care products and school supplies. “It’s a collaborative effort,” she said. “Different academic departments adopt the café monthly.” To utilize the service, the only requirement is that students fill out a basic three question survey to help improve the service. In addition, the café is accessible five days per week, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Student Assistance Program also connects students to other economic resources that may be beneficial. There is room for growth. “[I’ve] seen the need… [Our] goal is to offer more services for students, additional food options,” said Nicholson. “[We have] a fantastic faculty, staff, and students that provide donations. They’re the reason that the doors stay open.”

On Oct. 29, the Lady Archer’s soccer team defeated Metropolitan Community College 3-0, claiming the Region XVI Title. On Nov. 7, they won against Columbia State Community College in the District Final 3-1 but they lost against Lewis and Clark Community college on Nov. 8, ending their season with a 14-5 record.

The men’s soccer team beat Crowder College 5-4 in Penatly Shots on Nov. 2, collecting the Region XVI Title. This is their fourth consecutive season of winning Regions. On Nov. 9, Archer’s lost to Illinois Central College 2-0 in the District Championship, ending the season with a 12-8-1 record. Submitted Photos

Opinions:

American Students Are Not Immune To Propaganda What are Facebook and Instagram costing you? The price of using social media that corporations won’t tell you. Invisible robots are influencing what you see and think on online. Here’s how: Story on page 7

Serving the St. Louis Community College - Meramec community since 1964 • ACP Award Recipient


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