By Saki Kambe
In an effort to help with the issue of food insecurity that a lot of students at PC deal with, the college introduced the Pirate Food Pantry to Port Angeles campus at the beginning of fall quarter.
Five weeks in, and the pantry has served more than 70 students giving out more than 500 items, according to Cathy Engle, associate dean of student services, who manages the pantry along with Rick Ross, associate dean of athletics and student programs.
“So far, I am really pleased with the turnout that we’ve got,” Ross said.
However, when taking the results of the hunger survey that went out in the middle of the spring quarter, both Engle and Ross said that they believe there iare still a lot of students that could be accessing the pantry that they are not.
In the survey, 42 percent of students responded that there were times in the last 12 months where they were hungry but did not eat because there wasn’t enough money for food. Moreover, 59 percent of students answered that they couldn’t afford to eat balanced meals in the last 12 months.
Engle said it is hard to know exactly why the turnout is not reflecting the results of the survey.There could be lot of possible factors.
It could be stigma, but it could also be that the operating time and day aren’t good. “It could be that students have received their Financial Aid award, and that they are ok right now; and as the quarter goes on, they’ll have less money and might utilize the pantry then, but they feel okay right now,” she said.
Both Engle and Ross said that they are hoping to survey students on what can be improved when they debrief at the end of the quarter.
Located in the southwest corner of the Pirate Union Building down from the Associated Student Council office, the Pirate Food Pantry is open every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Students need to bring their student ID card, and the Student Development staff will help. If students bring a bag, they may choose 10 items, or eight without a bag. Those who self-identify that they have children may select 15 items.
