Amarillo College students facing food insecurity will have more support this semester thanks to a $10,000 donation from United Supermarkets and Kellanova to the college’s on-campus food pantry.
The contribution, announced Wednesday, Sept. 24 at the college’s Washington Street Campus, includes 32 gift cards valued at $250 each — a total of $8,000 — to stock the pantry with essential supplies, along with 80 gift cards worth $25 each to help students purchase groceries, hygiene products, gas and other necessities.
Supporting students where they learn
“This donation is really for the food pantry for Amarillo College students,” said Travis Chaney, regional vice president for United Supermarkets in the Amarillo region. “Hunger is definitely a mission that we like to serve, and it’s much needed in our communities. If a student has something to eat and they’re not worried about where their next meal is coming from, then they can focus on their education.”
Chaney said United’s relationship with Amarillo College stretches back about 15 years, but this is the first time the company has partnered with Kellanova — the maker of Eggo waffles and Rice Krispies Treats — for this type of initiative.
“The cost of goods and everything has gone up. Same for students, and I’m sure tuition has probably gone up a little bit as well,” he said. “This can definitely help alleviate some of that anguish of paying for food and different items to help those students along.”
A mission to fight hunger
Kathy McDonald, key account executive for Kellanova, said the gift reflects the company’s Better Days Promise, which focuses on reducing food insecurity and supporting education.
“Combining those missions by giving this gift to a college really aligns both areas of our Better Days Promise,” McDonald said. “This is the funnest part of the job — being able to donate and give back to those who are in need. Nobody should have to go hungry.”
McDonald explained that the donation grew out of internal contests Kellanova runs with United Supermarkets. United’s support of those programs allowed the companies to combine resources to benefit Amarillo College.
Meeting a growing need
Jordan Herrera, Amarillo College director of social services, said the gift will help sustain the college’s five food pantries, which serve all campuses and provide nonperishable food and toiletries to any enrolled student or employee.
“This donation is going to make a great impact in the lives of our students,” Herrera said. “Being a college student is really hard and can become very expensive. Especially right now, with inflation and the cost of prices going up, resources like this really help students. It helps to relieve barriers and lets them know the college cares enough about their success to provide a service so they don’t have to worry about where their next meal is going to come from.”
Herrera said about 200 students use the pantries each month, and roughly 2,000 students access them during a typical academic year. Students need only be enrolled at Amarillo College to receive assistance and can visit the pantry twice a month.
Looking ahead
Chaney said United hopes the partnership will continue in the future. “Food insecurity is a major issue,” he said. “It’s alarming to me, especially in elementary and middle schools and even in college. Whenever I hear statistics on how many kids go home for the weekend and don’t have food at their home, I want to help students like that. This is a great way for us to do that.”
The Amarillo College Food Pantry is located inside the college’s Advocacy and Resource Center on the Washington Street Campus. Students can place orders online or visit the center to receive assistance, ensuring that no student has to choose between food and their education.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: United, Kellanova give $10K to Amarillo College food pantry
Reporting by Michael Cuviello, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
