LCC Pantry Marks 10 Years of Service Supporting Students and Combating Food Insecurity

Parsons, KS — This year, Labette Community College celebrates a decade of impact through its Student Pantry, a vital resource that has supported students facing food insecurity and reinforced the college’s mission of fostering a caring, equitable campus environment.

Established in September 2015 as part of Phi Theta Kappa’s College Project, the LCC Pantry set out to advance educational access by addressing a basic need—food security—and to inspire positive change within the college community. Over the years, LCC has been among the first institutions in the region to launch and sustain a student food pantry, and its success reflects the enduring support of faculty, staff, students, donors, and community partners.

What began as a modest office space stocked with nonperishable food, cleaning supplies, and personal care items has since evolved into an organized facility that serves 50–65 students weekly and is especially busy at the start of each semester. All current students may participate; each week a student can take up to ten items at no cost. Offerings include canned goods, rotating fresh items and basic household supplies. In partnership with The Care Cupboard at First Baptist Church, students may also receive laundry soap, body soap, toilet paper, and feminine products once per month, without counting against their weekly total.

The pantry is supported by generous donations from community partners—Leadership Labette, Wesley United Methodist, First Christian, First Presbyterian, The Remnant, New Life Clothing, AW Aesthetic, Rizza Trust, and Katherine Stotts—as well as anonymous donors. LCC faculty and staff contribute time and funds, including donations vi payroll deduction and campus event fundraising. The Parsons Area Community Foundation previously granted the pantry funds which allowed the purchase of a freezer, and a partnership with the Kansas Food Bank allows the pantry to gather supplies in bulk at greatly reduced cost.

“The pantry began as a vision to meet an immediate need, and today it has become an essential part of how we support our students,” said Tammy Fuentez, former LCC Phi Theta Kappa Advisor and current Senior Director of Student Engagement (Division II) at Phi Theta Kappa national. “Reaching the ten-year milestone is not only a celebration of the pantry, but of the students, faculty, staff, and community partners who have worked together to make this possible.”

LCC invites all employees, alumni, and community members to join in the celebration by volunteering time, donating food, or helping raise awareness. To learn more about the LCC Food Pantry, please contact Regina Decker, Case Manager at LCC at reginad@labette.edu