BRTC Food Pantry Changes Locations & Adds New Way to Donate

BRTC food pantry volunteer Erin Faulkner and food pantry organizer Christina Derbes stock shelves in the new location

Black River Technical College’s (BRTC) food pantry moved from the administration building to SC 100 in the Joe Martin building on the Pocahontas campus.

Food pantry organizer Christina Derbes said, “It’s a larger room so we can house more amenities and its new location will give the volunteers and organizers the ability to have regular hours, which helps us to better serve students.”

New hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays; 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays; 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesdays; 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursdays; and by appointment on Fridays.

The clothing closet that has been housed with the food pantry will remain in the administration building.

Food pantry organizers also recently placed a new food pantry donation box outside of SC 100 so those who want to donate can do so any time throughout the day whether or not a food pantry volunteer is available.

The Pocahontas Star Herald donated a newspaper vending machine to the pantry last year. Derbes had the BRTC auto collision class repair and paint the vending machine in BRTC colors before it was placed outside of the new location.

“Thank you to the Pocahontas Star Herald for donating the new donation box which allows people to donate to the pantry outside of normal hours,” said Derbes.

Many BRTC students and their families struggle to access adequate food. To help students mitigate this need, BRTC accepts donations of food, Walmart and grocery store gift cards, and money to stock the BRTC food pantry.

The BRTC food pantry is excited to help students in need. A student must complete an application and produce a current BRTC student I.D.

Food bags consist of breakfast, lunch, and dinner for three days for a family of four. Breakfasts include a box of cereal or pancake mix with syrup or oatmeal. Lunches include soup, ramen noodles, or mac and cheese. Dinners include beans and cornbread, spaghetti noodles with meat sauce and 2 cans of vegetables, and tuna or chicken helper with tuna or chicken, and two cans of vegetables. Snacks of peanut butter and jelly with crackers or pop tarts, and cereal bars are also included.

The food pantry also distributes baby formula, diapers, and personal hygiene items as available. Other items are available occasionally depending on what has been donated.

The pantry is a collaboration between the Student Government Association and the Nutrition and Dietetics Club.

For more information or to donate, contact Christina Derbes by phone at (870) 248-4000, ext. 4168 or christina.derbes@blackrivertech.edu.

Donations submitted through the BRTC Foundation are tax-deductible. Donations can also be given online at https://brtc.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/brtc/donation.jsp.