Food insecurity is a concern for many college students, but Elizabethtown College is working to change that. The Blue Jay Pantry, established in late 2020, provides students with free, nonperishable food items obtained from community donations.

"We established the Blue Jay Pantry in an effort to minimize the burdens that food insecurities can place on our students," said Cecilia M. McCormick, Elizabethtown College president. "It's estimated that one in five college students has inadequate access to food, and we want to put an end to that starting on our campus and eventually expanding our efforts to the broader community."

McCormick developed a similar program at another organization and is passionate about bringing the initiative to the college. The pantry will be maintained by the Center for Community and Civic Engagement on campus.

"The pantry is intended to be accessible to all students to eliminate barriers to access for students experiencing hunger and having difficulty buying food," she explained. "It will operate in ways that maximize hospitality and privacy ... and is open to all students, no questions asked."

With the creation of the pantry, Elizabethtown College joins more than 600 schools nationwide that operate an on-campus food pantry and becomes a member of the College and University Food Bank Alliance (CUFBA). "CUFBA provides colleges and universities with support, training and resources to connect more students with the food and resources they need for educational success," McCormick noted.

The pantry will be stocked through community food donations as well as monetary contributions. Recently, the college's campus security department held its annual Food for Fines drive to benefit the pantry. "The fundraiser collected needed items for both (the) Blue Jay Pantry and the Elizabethtown Community Cupboard," McCormick said. "The program allows students and employees to donate items in exchange for paying parking fines."

For more information on the Blue Jay Pantry or to make a donation, readers may visit http://www.etown.edu/centers/community-civic/pantry/index.aspx