The City College chapter of Enactus, an international non-profit organization uniting students and faculty in entrepreneurial action, will be reviving the campus food pantry in spring of next year.

As with all Enactus projects, it will be a student-driven endeavor. The team will be responsible for collecting, storing and disseminating food to students and the community, though also to educate and become more educated as well.

“The face of everything we do, we like it to be the students,” stated Professor Leroy Brady, faculty co-advisor of Enactus at City College.

Enactus currently runs collection programs in conjunction with First Presbyterian Church, preparing a military pantry for the fourth Saturday of each month. They also donate canned goods to seniors and provide meals to low-income and homeless people in surrounding areas.

Starting in the spring, the group will increase their collection efforts and bring some of the fruits of their labor home to City College students.

The long-standing campus food pantry suffered massive flood damage in 2012. The service was well-respected by students who, at the time, could fill up a grocery bag once a week from available items, and also receive lunches via the Helpful Emergency Lunch Program or H.E.L.P.

Enactus member and student Cheré Smith will be at the helm. Smith’s team is currently working on the requirements for student attendance, outlining the most useful items for pre-packed meals and talking with school administration to determine the best home for them on campus.

In conjunction with opening the food pantry part-time, Enactus’ long-term goals include running workshops on financial literacy, how to manage your money, banking, account management, investing, savings and more.

“If we just gave people food, to me, we’re just telling them ‘come back’ but … eventually we want you to be able to take care of yourself,” explained Brady as he spoke of breaking the “food insecurity cycle.”

Donations of all types will be accepted, with ideal items for students including (but not limited to) pop-top canned goods, microwaveable items, granola bars and fruit cups.

Stay tuned to City Times next semester for more details regarding opening dates, hours and requirements for the food pantry.