Food pantry feeds a growing need

Illinois Valley Community College’s food pantry fed a growing need in 2024, serving more students – and more children in their households – than ever.

A record-setting winter quarter outpaced the strong fall quarter before it. Eagles Peak Food Pantry supplied baked items and fresh and shelf-stable goods to more than 2,030 people in the last quarter of 2024. Those patrons represented 196 households and more than 500 children.

That nearly doubled the record set in July through September, when 1,333 people – including 286 children – were supplied.

“The need has always been there, but awareness of the pantry grew significantly. Food insecurity is an increasing challenge for our students, and our pantry is seeing more visitors than ever,” said Associate Director of Retention Ashlee Fitzpatrick, who oversees the Eagles Peak Food Pantry.

IVCC President Dr. Tracy Morris says the pantry has made a difference for students. “I could not be prouder of the impact that Eagles Peak has had. The difference it has made for our students who may just need a snack before class or who might need more assistance with groceries during tough times has been tremendous. Students are so appreciative that we have this available.”

Eagles Peak is included in the campus progress summaries Dr. Morris shares with the Board of Trustees regularly. “I am humbled to see the numbers. The impact we are having for our students is tangible and the indirect impact for their families is amazing. To me, it really speaks to our holistic student support. We are committed to helping our students be successful and that goes well beyond the classroom.”

The campus resource has changed a lot in the last two years. In 2023, recognizing students’ growing food insecurity, the college expanded its inventory from shelves of snacks to a fully stocked pantry supplied by the River Bend Food Bank. An equipment donation enabled the addition of refrigerated and frozen items and new software helps students discover what other assistance programs they are eligible for, where to find them and how to apply.

Changes continued in 2024. The pantry recently received a $3,000 grant from the national non-profit Swipe Out Hunger on college campuses, Fitzpatrick said. Pantry hours were extended to three days a week and partnerships on and off campus led to HyVee supplying baked goods and to campus Project Success student volunteers helping to unbox and organize the twice-monthly deliveries from the food bank.

Fitzpatrick praises volunteers who work behind the scenes to keep the pantry operating and all the donors who support it and keep it stocked.

Last winter, IVCC joined other community colleges in a winter collection drive, which Fitzpatrick said had a tremendous impact on the pantry and the students it serves. As part of Feed the Need, the college collected more than 250 items. Earlier that fall, the Bookstore had hosted a soup drive.

The pantry will continue to evolve in 2025, Fitzpatrick said. She’s hoping to have more faculty and staff volunteers to assist students when they come to the pantry. The inventory continually changes as students who use the pantry suggest different food options, such as more non-dairy products or gluten-free items.

Connections forged between staff and pantry users help students feel more comfortable, Fitzpatrick said.

So do other steps by organizers trying to eliminate any stigma attached to using the pantry.  Donated goods labeled with the pantry’s location are placed in common areas. Samples are displayed at on-campus admissions events, and the pantry is included on guided tours of high school visitors. Treat baskets are supplied to the Peer Mentor offices and items are distributed to the Ottawa Center, the East Campus and the Academic Support Center tutoring area.

Fitzpatrick has more goals. She would like to add inventory management technology and stock basic-needs items such as laundry soap, hygiene products and full-sized toiletries. She also hopes to determine how big a factor the pantry is in whether students stay in college and complete their studies.