Owensboro Community & Technical College hosted an internal fundraising event to raise funds for a student food pantry. A small group of employees came up with the idea of setting up a “pop-up” restaurant to serve breakfast, and the OCTC Food Pantry Feast was born.
The core team of “chefs” accepted donations for tickets to the event. More than 100 tickets were sold raising more than $1,500. OCTC has a matching grant through KCTCS that will double that amount through a match, up to $2,000.
“Employees cooked, donated, and served all the food so all the funds raised are going to directly support the food pantry,” said OCTC’s Chief Institutional Officer Mike Rodgers. “We are hoping to max out the match and raise the additional funds.”
Food scarcity among college students is a nationwide issue and locally that became apparent when the OCTC TRiO program, a federal grant initiative serving first-generation and underserved population students, started a small food pantry on campus and was overwhelmed with demand.
“We have been focusing on removing barriers for students where possible. We have new scholarships in place, we have the Work Ready KY Scholarship through the state, we have a partnership with Owensboro Transit to secure free transportation for students and this is just another way we can support students that allows them to focus on their educational goals,” said OCTC President Scott Williams.
OCTC plans to have the food pantry up and running in August for the fall semester. For more information or to contribute to the OCTC Food Pantry please contact the OCTC Resource Development Office at [email protected] or 270-686-4663.
