Waubonsee Community College’s Sugar Grove campus has introduced the Gathering Resources and Offering Vital Essentials (GROVE) student food pantry. This initiative aims to support students facing food insecurity. Local donations, partnerships with area food banks, and a student-led farming initiative with raised gardens contribute to this project.
Since the fall semester started, almost 100 students have benefited from the pantry. Waubonsee freshman Ariana Rodriguez has utilized the service, stating it helps manage food budgets. “It’s a really good resource because not everyone can have a big budget for grocery shopping for the month or a meal for the next day.” Rodriguez noted that students can sign in, provide their number, and gather needed items for free.
Rodriguez shared her personal challenges with food insecurity, describing it as embarrassing to admit but essential to address. She views the pantry as a form of security.
Clayton Muhammad, vice president of community engagement and external affairs for Waubonsee Community College, emphasizes how the pantry complements the college’s mission. Its opening aligns with September’s national Hunger Action Month. “This food pantry helps us redefine our relationship with our food providers and our non-profit worlds and all those who want to help students achieve their educational goals. But there may be some barriers, and food insecurity could be one of them,” Muhammad stated.
Muhammad highlighted the pantry’s role in enhancing the student experience by providing food options on campus. Andrea Egle, manager of the Center for Student Assistance, noted the college’s previous efforts to combat food insecurity through food baskets over the past few years. Following leadership forums with students, the idea for a comprehensive pantry gained traction.
“We have had a food insecurity effort for the past two or three years in the form of food baskets that we had at all of our campuses,” Egle explained.
Egle also mentioned student involvement in the creation and maintenance of raised gardens through the science club. Club members collaborated with campus operations to establish a student garden club focused on growing vegetables for the pantry.
Currently, about six to eight students maintain the garden. Four student workers, Egle, and a part-time administrative assistant oversee the pantry. Rudy Rosales, an Aurora freshman, praised the pantry’s introduction as a positive addition to campus life.
“The reception I’ve heard is positive and it’s helpful having this,” Rosales said. “No one has expressed any reluctance. If people need something, they’ll ask for it. If people need something to eat, they shouldn’t feel reluctant – they should come. It’s important that people have this, especially at the college level. You can’t focus if you can’t eat.”
The collaborative effort among students and staff underscores Waubonsee’s commitment to addressing food insecurity.