CMCC opens food pantry for students in need

PHOTO: Kate McPherson, left, president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at CMCC, listens to Student Services Representative Jean Blais at the newly opened Mustang Food Pantry at the college. (Submitted photo)

AUBURN — The Mustang Food Pantry at Central Maine Community College has opened its doors to students in need of food assistance. Sponsored by the Hannaford Charitable Foundation and supported by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, the food pantry is stocked with such staples as rice, pasta, sauce, beans, canned goods and frozen potatoes.
“Opening the Mustang Food Pantry could not have happened at a better time,” said Student Services Representative Jean Blais, who is overseeing the pantry. “With all the challenges that our students confront at this time, the food pantry will help eliminate one of the barriers that many of them face on a daily basis, and that is food insecurity,” Blais added.
The college is encouraging any student struggling with food insecurity to make use of this valuable resource. According to an April 2019 study by The Hope Center, more than half of survey respondents from two-year institutions indicated that they worry about running out of food. Approximately 44 percent of respondents from four-year institutions said the same thing.
“As a community college, our connection with students is more than just educational. We care for their well-being in all aspects and strive to help them be successful,” observed Kate McPherson, president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society chapter at CMCC. “Good nutrition is very important, so PTK is proud to be a part of this effort that reflects just how much we care about every one of our students,” McPherson added.
For more informatoin, or to support the food pantry, contact Jean Blais at jblais@cmcc.edu or 207-755-5293.