Texan Mosaic

Story and photos by Cale Horton, COMM 2311.001 (Levelland)

While national food prices continue to rise across the country, the Baptist Student Ministry, a program at South Plains College, is holding steady at a price point affordable for all.

The Baptist Student Ministry’s 50-cent lunch program provides a budget meal option for students as well as a safe place to connect with their peers to share a meal.

The lunches are open to all current SPC students. Johnathan Valentine, associate director of BSM, said they serve around 300 plates in the fall semester and about 200 plates in the spring semester each week.

“I would love it if more people could come to our lunch. I know in the past we’ve served well over 500 students a week. I’d love it if we could get that back up and expand in that way,” Valentine, said.

BSM is a program run by Dawson Mailey, Director of BSM, and Johnathan Valentine. The collaboration of local churches and student volunteers makes it possible for BSM to serve ready-to-eat meals and allocate all the money into missions.

“It’s not a transaction that’s typical; we’re not getting a benefit. The churches aren’t getting any kickback from it, it’s just because we love you guys as college students,” Valentine, said. “ We want you to be fed and know there’s a God who loves you, and we want to be stewards of that.”

This program helps reduce students’ financial stress by providing an economical meal option. Despite inflation, the price of this meal hasn’t changed since BSM began, dating back as early as 1972, said Valentine.

“We want to provide something practical. That’s engaging, and let’s people come in and sit inside and know our BSM is also more than a cafeteria. It’s a place of worship, it’s a place for community,” Valentine, said.

BSM holds these lunches every Monday and Thursday between the times 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the BSM building.

 “Our doors are open, we want to feed you, there’s not a catch, there’s not a but, it’s just we want to feed you,” Jonathan Valentine said. “ You can get it to go, you can eat it here. It’s totally up to you, and whether you have the money or not, we just don’t want you guys to go away hungry.”

The 50-cent lunches are located in the BSM building on 203 Magnolia Street, located directly across the street from the college. The building offers a place where students can eat together, or if they wish, take a plate to go.

“As a college student, saving every dollar counts, the food is amazing, the environment is welcoming, and it’s really made a difference in my life,” Cade Sierra, student at SPC, said.

As prices continue to be very volatile in our nation, one thing won’t change, and that’s BSM 50-cent lunches. This program ultimately thrives from the hard work and generosity of others to achieve a goal bigger than just filling plates.