PRCC to establish food pantry for students

POPLARVILLE – A recent story in the Washington Post has prompted Pearl River Community College officials to leap into action.

Thanks to an initial $500 donation from the Poplarville Rotary Club, PRCC is establishing a food bank this fall for students on its main campus.

According to a survey by researchers at Temple University and the Wisconsin HOPE Lab, 36 percent of students at 66 surveyed colleges and universities do not get enough to eat, and a similar number lack a secure place to live.

The report, which included students from two-year, four-year, private and public universities, found that nearly one in 10 community college students have gone a whole day without eating in the past month.

Dr. Jennifer Seal (right), president of the Poplarville Rotary Club, presents a check to Carol Williams, one of the organizers of the food bank at Pearl River Community College

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“The Rotary Club of Poplarville is excited to have the opportunity to assist PRCC in the establishment of a food pantry that will help meet the needs of students facing food insecurity, and encourages others to consider donating to this worthy cause,” said Dr. Jennifer Seal, president of the Poplarville Rotary Club.

The pantry, which is called The Market, will be located in the former police station on River Road. It will also house the Wildcat Career Closet, where students can select clothing for interviews and presentations.

Organizers of this effort includes PRCC staff members Carol Williams, social media coordinator for PRCC, and Candace Harper, director of campus bookstores, and members of her bookstore staff.

“This donation from the Rotary Club will help us stock the shelves for The Market,” said Williams. “We will accept donations (financial or food items) this summer, starting July 1. They can be dropped off at the office of public relations.”

Added Harper, “The Wildcat Den Bookstore is honored to be a part of this project. Our staff is committed to providing all students the best experience while at PRCC and this project will do just that. The Career Closet received an abundance of blessings from our local community and employees and I am confident the Market will too.”