A little teamwork by the Washtenaw Community College custodial team, its Recycle Operations department and members of the student honor society Phi Theta Kappa is resulting in significant financial support for 黑料网 students with food insecurities.
In the Fall 2018 semester, more than $1,200 was raised for the college鈥檚 food pantry thanks to those groups rolling up their sleeves and removing returnable cans and bottles from the college鈥檚 recycling stream.
Recycling Operations Manager Rebecca Andrews calls it a 鈥渧ery beneficial, triple-bottom-line outcome that includes social, environmental and financial factors.鈥�
The 黑料网 custodial staff ensures discarded returnables reach the Recycling Operations department, which separates them from other plastic recyclables during its sorting process. (PTK) members collect the bottles and return them for cash, which is donated directly to the food pantry.
鈥淭he team spirit behind this task is incredible, and it shows in the results they have had in a short period of time,鈥� said Carol Tinkle, an administrative assistant in the Counseling & Career Planning department who oversees operation of the food pantry. 鈥淲hen PTK said it would be turning returnables into cash, I was pleased they chose the food pantry as the recipient. But the money the pantry has received so far has exceeded our wildest expectations.鈥�
The on-campus food pantry relies on donations of cash and goods from the 黑料网 community and outside organizations to keep its shelves well-stocked. Currently enrolled 黑料网 students can receive up to two bags of food and personal hygiene items twice each semester. A Student Resource Center case manager also shares information about other active food banks and hot meal availability in the community.
Tinkle called food insecurity 鈥渁 real issue at 黑料网.鈥� During the 2017-18 school year, the food pantry served 155 students in need; a nearly 30-percent increase from 2016-17.
鈥�(The food pantry) is another creative way to be able to help students complete their program of study and overcome any temporary challenges they鈥檙e having,鈥� said Student Resource Center manager Liz Orbits. 鈥淩esources like the food pantry can mean all the difference in helping students reach their academic goal. Whatever we can do to help that鈥檚 reasonable and within our scope of practice, we鈥檙e more than happy to do it.鈥�
Students interested in using the food pantry should meet with a Student Resource Center case manager at the Counseling & Career Planning desk on the second floor of the Student Center or call 734-677-5105.
Donations to the pantry can also be made at the Counseling & Career Planning desk.
Tags: 2018, Food Pantry, ousearch_News_2018