Overcoming Food and Housing Insecurities

The following set of sessions can be purchased through Individual Digital Access or a Campus Access License. Learn more.

Being the Nexus: Leveraging Collaborations to Transform the Community 
Representatives from Tarrant County College Northwest (TCCN) share the philosophical underpinnings involved in serving the whole student, as well as how the institution collaborates with community organizations to leverage resources to strengthen the community and alleviate food insecurity. Learn the process by which TCCN engages local partners; how partnerships with multiple local organizations can lead to large-scale events that address medical, dental, vision, and school supply needs; and how TCCN assesses their efforts to build partnerships in the community. 
Zarina Blankenbaker, President, Tarrant County College Northwest; Lisa Benedetti, Dean, Humanities, Tarrant County College Northwest 

Food for Thought: Creating Student Food Pantries and Emergency Assistance at Madisonville Community College 
The session describes the process Madisonville Community College (MCC) used to systematically address food insecurity and students’ non-academic needs. The process began in 2018, and MCC now has vibrant food banks at three campuses and a $40,000 fund for student emergencies. Learn how MCC created its food pantries, addressed liability concerns, obtained food and grants for food, and made the services available to students. Participants also learn how MCC receives anonymous feedback from students and uses that feedback to make improvements, as well as how MCC established its emergency fund and raised $40,000 to address student non-academic needs. 
Scott Cook, Provost, Madisonville Community College; Cathy Vaughan, Dean, Student Affairs, Madisonville Community College 

Supporting Student Basic Needs Through Internal and External Partnerships 
Basic needs work is tedious and requires a constant financial stream. The Maricopa Community Colleges have worked diligently over the past two years to raise awareness, cultivate partnerships, and identify viable funding to support these efforts for the long term. The presenters share lessons learned and the possibilities that exist within participants’ municipal, state, and corporate communities. From partnerships with food banks, to securing grant funding from the State, to increasing local grocery store granting by 100 percent in a year, there is great news and opportunities to share. Learn about our blueprint so you don’t have to start your program from scratch! 
Felicia Ganther, Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs, Maricopa Community Colleges; Ray Ostos, District Director, Student Affairs, Maricopa County Community College District 

Combating Common Nutrient Deficiencies and the Impacts They Hold on the College-Age Population 
This session addresses the most prevalent nutrient deficiencies found among college populations, the guidelines set by food banks and food distribution centers, and concepts to consider when implementing programs to combat food insecurity in college students in efforts to improve cognitive function, educational learning, test scores, and retention. The session also shares ways to get students involved in the process to aid in giveback endeavors and to assist in enriching their college and community. 
Eric West, Assistant Professor, Dietetics,  Arkansas State University