By Kamryn Collins, Alex Montes, and Luisa Dorsa/Texan Mosaic COMM 2324
Balancing classes, work schedules, social calendars, and grocery shopping can be overwhelming, especially when financial burdens get in the way. SPC offers a way for students to still get the necessities when times get tough.
“It serves our students who need a little help,” said D’Liesa Burleson, administrative assistant at the Health and Wellness Center on the Levelland campus. “They just need a little pick me up, you know, we’re all struggling right now financially. Just having a little help with food, honestly helps everybody.”
Located in the health and wellness center, the Texan Food Pantry is available to students who are full-time or part-time at SPC. All they have to do is submit an application. Students with a meal plan can access the food pantry once a month while others get up to twice monthly.
“Students are able to come over here and put in an application,” Burleson said. “We fill it, they come and get a paper bag, and that’s what it’s here for…We’re confidential, we’re a safe space.”
While the pantry provides canned and dry food products, students can also grab some snacks like Pop Tarts, ramen, and more; along with hygiene products.
“You get to pick, if you want, like, cereal bars, coffee, canned meat, peanut butter, jelly. You get to pick what you want,” Burleson said. “It’s not like I’m just going to. Go in and grab one of everything for you, because some people don’t want everything”
The food pantry began when faculty noticed students asking for assistance more frequently. It began as a closet in the kinesiology building and quickly outgrew its space. Last year, the food pantry served more than 380 students; during the first week this fall semester, there were 19 applications submitted.
“That’s a lot,” Burleson said. “We’re all going through it.”
The food pantry is always taking donations, which can be dropped off at the Health and Wellness Center on the Levelland campus, or inside the Health and Wellness Office at the Lubbock Downtown Center.
Despite the circumstances, Burleson said the SPC and surrounding community never fail to show up when help is needed.
“It’s fun to see students come together,” Burleson said. “It’s fun to see the community come together and help everybody out.”
The food pantry accepts canned goods and dry food products, along with hygiene products, including women’s pads and tampons, men’s deodorant, shampoo, and body wash. For more information, call Burleson at (806) 716-2529.
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