Columbia-Greene Community College has announced a new partnership with the Salvation Army (SA), which will allow the college to provide students with food and supply surpluses.
Beginning Thursday, Oct. 4, a mobile food pantry now visits campus from 12:15 to 1:15 pm. Visits will continue at the same time on Thursdays each week.
Dawn M. Bucci, Assistant Director of Accounting for Columbia-Greene Community College – Workforce New York and coordinator of the C-GCC Food Pantry, said the new initiative will serve to greatly expand the many student-assistance offerings at the college. Its food pantry has existed for more than 10 years, with an adjacent pet-food pantry added in 2013. Several ‘giving closets’ are also located across campus, privately offering new winter coats and toiletries to anyone in need.
“The SA has recently donated thousands of utensils, napkins, plates, and bowls to the food pantry, along with cases of snacks, cereal, and shelf-stable milk,” she said. “We now have access to, literally, everything from soup to nuts.”
Bucci added that students will be encouraged to visit the mobile units and to bring food, health and beauty items, and other necessities home for their families. They will be asked to sign in and answer a few basic questions to help the SA maintain their monthly reports.
“The more people the Salvation Army helps, the more purchasing power they have at the regional Food Bank,” she said, “and there are greater opportunities for funding from Salvation Army headquarters, as well.”
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