SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - Not only does Gabriella Luna attend classes all day, but the St. Luke’s College second-year nursing student also prepares dinner for her parents and two younger siblings.
“A lot of times, I don’t have time to go grocery shopping,” she said. “Sometimes, I don’t have enough money to buy anything healthy.”
Luna isn’t alone, according to St. Luke’s College President Kendra Ericson.
“We surveyed our students and 54 percent of respondents indicated they didn’t have enough money for food and couldn’t afford to eat balanced meals,” Ericson told the Sioux City Journal.
That was why Ericson and other college faculty decided to open the College Cupboard, a food pantry resource for students who find themselves struggling to feed their families.
“People have this misconception that college students must be an 18-year-old who is just out of college,” Ericson said, shaking her head. “In reality, we have students of all ages. Some may be married, have children or taking care of family at home.”
In addition, they will all be first-responding healthcare professionals who work unusual hours.
Currently, the College Cupboard has a student-friendly assortment of nonperishable food items.
“Ramen, mac and cheese and tomato sauce in a can,” Luna said with a smile. “That’s comfort food for me.”
Second-year nursing student Yasmin Vega was even more impressed by the college cupboard’s wide array of toiletry items, like soaps, shampoos and toothpastes.
“Those of the types of things that cost the most and you can’t do without,” she said. “I’m happy to have a student pantry with lots of choices.”
Which is nice for Vega, a California native who is a long way from home.
“It is really convenient to have a pantry at school,” she said. “I’m sure the pantry will come in handy for plenty of students.
Soon, the College Cupboard will be able to offer both fresh and refrigerated foods, Ericson said.
“We are working on corporate and community partnerships,” she said. “Our hope is to add a refrigerator for perishable items, like milk, cheese and fresh fruits and vegetables.”
Even though her children are now grown, Ericson remembered the difficulties of balancing work, school and family.
“I known the College Cupboard will help many of our students with the necessities,” she said.
It may also help Luna broaden her menu choices, since recipes are also available for fast, easy meals.
“I think my family will like some of these,” Luna said, while looking at instruction cards for such comfort food meals as Tuna Mac & Cheese and a Ramen Noodle Skillet. “They sound good.”
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