Labette Community College Student Pantry Receives Grant to Expand Food Storage Capacity, Enabling Donation of 300 Pounds of Ground Beef

Parsons, KS – The Labette Community College (LCC) Student Pantry has received a boost in its capacity to support students facing food insecurity, thanks to a generous $650 mini-grant from the Parsons Area Community Foundation (PACF). This grant will fund the purchase of an upright freezer, allowing the pantry to accept and store more perishable donations, including a recent contribution of 300 pounds of ground beef from local producers, Coover Cattle Co.

Regina Decker, Case Manager at LCC, expressed her gratitude for the PACF’s ongoing support in addressing student food insecurity: “Thanks to this PACF grant, we’re able to store larger amounts of food for our students, including this incredible donation of ground beef from Coover Cattle Co. This addition will help us provide healthier meal options and enable students to focus on their studies rather than worry about where their next meal will come from.”

The LCC Student Pantry serves all enrolled students, offering up to 10 items per week per student to help meet their nutritional needs. With over 80% of LCC students qualifying as low-income, the challenges of food insecurity are a serious concern. Studies consistently show that students who face food insecurity are more likely to struggle academically compared to their peers. By bridging this gap, the pantry empowers students to pursue their education without the added burden of hunger.

Founded on a mission to enhance the community, PACF provides local donors with a flexible, accountable, and impactful way to make charitable gifts that directly support local initiatives. The foundation’s grants, like this one, provide resources that address critical community needs, helping organizations like the LCC Student Pantry improve the lives of students and foster their success.

Through this collaboration with community partners like PACF and local supporters like Coover Cattle Co., Labette Community College is building a stronger, more supportive educational environment for all students.

For more information about the LCC Student Pantry or how you can support students facing food insecurity, please contact Regina Decker at Labette Community College.