Pantry for Progression

Pasadena City College found a new way to lend a helping hand to itsstudents. PCC looks to broaden student needs and offer to fill their pantriesat home.

The Lancer Pantry is a service that helps eliminate food insecurity on campus. Of the 30,000 students on campus, it is estimated that 20-30% of students experience some form of food insecurity.

The idea of a PCC food pantry originated in 2015 as a student-faculty social sciences project addressing student hunger and food insecuritywith PCC Professor, Dr. Derek Milne. From there, the official college clubat PCC, Food Recovery Network Club, was formed. In 2016, Associate Dean of Special Services, Dr. Ketmani Kouanchao, and Lancer Pantry Student worker, Nick Tobin got on board and helped the pantry progress to where it is today. “I feel a personal attachment to the pantry because people gave to me and I want to give back,” says Dean Ketmani Kouanchao.

Not only does the pantry provide fresh and canned food items, it alsoprovides various hygiene supplies and refers off-campus resources tothose in need. In Fall 2018, the pantry was providing relief to 600 students per week, or a total of 4,000 pounds of food on a weekly basis.

The Lancer Pantry operates on donations, leaving it cost-fee to students. In Fall 2018, the Lancer Pantry received a large donation with the help of the PCC Foundation. This donation brought in $12,560 for the pantry for Giving Tuesday. Students need to verify their eligibility with a valid PCC student ID card and they can shop at the pantry.

If you would like to help with the Lancer Pantry, there are many ways to do so. Donations are accepted monetarily through the PCC Foundation, by donations of canned food items, or volunteering time as a pantry worker.

More information can be found on the Lancer Pantry website.