Valdar the Viking at the Viking Food Pantry in the Harvin Student Center on Del Mar College’s East Campus. The pantry opened with fanfare on April 18. Courtesy photo
A food bank for students at Del Mar College opened April 18 in conjunction with the Coastal Bend Food Bank. The Viking Food Pantry is housed in Bluebonnet Room 112 of the Harvin Student Center on East Campus.
“There are students who’ve asked for assistance with food,” said Diana Ortega-Feerick, Ed.D., assistant dean of Student Engagement and Retention. “One student told us she has to choose if she’s going to feed her children or herself. She chooses her children. Hearing these stories, we know there’s a need for the food pantry.”
Valdar the Viking broke through a paper banner covering the doorway to officially open the pantry, which is designed to do away with food insecurity on campus. Food insecurity is common among community colleges and first-generation students, Ortega-Feerick said.
Startup funds were raised through student fees after the student body voted to support the idea in a September poll.
Food offerings, which can change, usually include canned tuna, chicken, stew, chili, pork and beans, soups, and vegetables as well as peanut butter, fruit, rice, pasta, cereal, and oatmeal. Reusable bags will be available. Students in need can come twice a month to the pantry and take up to 35 pounds of food each visit. That amount can usually feed a family of four for a week, Ortega-Feerick said.
Food handlers are trained volunteers chosen through the DMC’s Viking Volunteer Program.
“The Viking Food Pantry may not eliminate all the factors that lead to hunger,” said Cheryl Sanders, dean of Student Engagement and Retention, “but it’s a major step toward lessening these trends among our students at Del Mar College.”
Donations can be made through the Coastal Bend Food Bank at 826 Krill St. Those wishing to donate are asked to send an email to foodpantry@delmar.edu for a list of needed and acceptable items.
