Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) has received the Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus designation from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The college is being recognized for its dedication to alleviating hunger among college students. The designation is part of efforts to advance student food security across the state by the Pennsylvania Office of the First Lady and the Department of Education.
The Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus initiative includes building a coalition of colleges and universities focused on addressing hunger and other basic needs for their students and strengthening the resources to help alleviate the issue statewide. Nearly one third (29%) of college students have missed a meal at least once a week since the beginning of the pandemic, and 35% of college students say hunger has impacted their ability to study at some point.
LCCC has several resources available to help alleviate food insecurity among its students. Both the Schnecksville and Allentown locations have food pantries, the “Cougar Cabinet,” and the Tamaqua site has snacks and basic personal items available for students.
In the 2021-22 fiscal year, the food pantries served 179 LCCC students, 85 in Allentown and 94 in Schnecksville. The total impact was 653 total individuals and household members served.
The food pantries opened in the fall 2018 and are supported by the LCCC Foundation, United Way and a partnership with the Second Harvest Food Bank. Students can access resources at the pantry once a week and are not required to document need.
For additional information on the college’s food pantry and how to access resources, go to https://www.lccc.edu/student-experience/cougar-cabinet-food-pantry.
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