With help from the Carl Sandburg College Foundation Office and River Bend Food Pantry in Davenport, Sandburg has expanded its food pantry service available to students and employees. Genny Stevens, Coordinator of Student Life at Sandburg, says in addition to transportation and childcare – food insecurity is one of the biggest issues facing students. River Bend has established pantries in several colleges along the Mississippi River Valley. Since the first day of classes in August, the response according to Stevens has been “huge”. “Since then, which has been about a month, we’ve had over 240 visits to the room alone,” Stevens tells WGIL. “(It’s) impacted over 922 people in those student households. Of that number, 121 children under the age of 18 in those households in just a month’s time.” Stevens says the rules are simple. The pantry is open to students and employees, you show your student ID at the door and you can come grab something for a quick snack, or fill a bag and take a meal to prepare at home. Located in the Resource Room: B129, the pantry is open Monday through Thursday 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and Fridays from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Appointments can be made upon request. Every third Wednesday of the month, Sandburg receives a food delivery from River Bend which consists of fresh produce, freezer and refrigerator items, and a wide variety of shelf items. The Resource Room offers special hours of 11:00 am – 3:00 pm on those third Wednesday delivery days.
