Food pantry at CCSJ alleviates food insecurity

College students experience food insecurity at alarming rates. As an institution, Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ) has been combatting this challenge by providing a food pantry service on campus. By offering resources, educational opportunities, compassionate support, and more, CCSJ supports students by helping them develop the skills to make appropriate choices.

The CCSJ food pantry was founded in January of 2013, by the student club G.I.V.E (Get Involved Value Everyone). In fall of 2014, the CCSJ Food Pantry partnered with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana (FBNWI), making it the first college food pantry in the region. Through FBNWI, the pantry receives fresh produce, meats, poultry, baked goods, canned goods, pasta, and boxed foods. The pantry also provides hygiene products and personal products, as they are available.

The CCSJ Food Pantry’s mission is to provide food and other essentials to current students with food insecurity.

By providing this service to our students CCSJ can directly support and assist students struggling with food insecurity, improve students’ academic success by improving access to on-going sources of nutrition, and provide hands-on volunteer leadership experiences for students while increasing their commitment to civic engagement. 

The food pantry is open every other Friday during the academic year from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. for walk-ins, but is also available by appointment, if there is need outside of the regularly scheduled times. The food pantry also provides cooking demonstrations and events on campus, including crockpot meals, themed recipes, breakfasts, and more. These demonstrations help support menu planning and basic life skills to ensure students are getting the fuel and nutrients they need.

Many CCSJ faculty and staff give weekly donations of funds or nonperishable food items to support the food pantry. While the CCSJ Food Pantry is supported through a partnership with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, donations and support from the CCSJ family and the community help to ensure the continuation of this vital service.