The pantry has been busy, and we would like to fully stock our shelves one more time before commencement! If you can contribute, please know that your donation is appreciated and will make a positive impact on LLCC students.

Current food needs include microwaveable, “heat and eat” meals; protein (i.e., meat sticks, canned chicken, tuna and chicken salad packets/kits); pasta and pasta sauce; and oatmeal and cereal cups. Shampoo, bar soap, dish soap and sponges are also popular. There is a small fridge available now with space for yogurt, string cheese, small drinks, etc. as well!

The partnership with Quiznos to “pay it forward” is going well! By purchasing a small sandwich at LLCC Quiznos as a part of the initiative, you will allow us to pass it along to a student who selects from the pre-paid receipts posted in the pantry.

At any point, if you prefer to make a monetary donation, you can do so through the LLCC Foundation website by choosing “other” and noting “Food Pantry” in the comments. LLCC Student Life staff will then shop for what is most needed at the time.

A big thanks from Student Life for all your support!

LLCC Student Life just reorganized the pantry  but that isn’t all happening down there! These are a few updates for the semester:

• Pay It Forward – Professor Amy Strawn shared a great idea to “pay it forward,” and Student Life is excited to partner with Quiznos on the initiative! Anyone that would like to contribute can purchase a small sandwich at Quiznos and leave the receipt in the Student Life office. The receipts will be posted on a board in the pantry, and any student in need of a sandwich can select one of the prepaid options to redeem at the LLCC Quiznos.
• After Hours Access – Although the pantry closes at 5 p.m. when the Student Life office closes, there is now an option for students here in the evenings! A cabinet outside the office (lower level Menard) will be unlocked at 5 p.m. for those who could benefit from food items in the later hours. Students can drop by to pick up items as needed.
• Ingredient of the Month – February’s “Ingredient of the Month” will be cornbread mix. Student Life will highlight quick recipes (using just a few ingredients) featuring the item and will offer a “meal in a bag” available for one of those recipes. If your office would like to sponsor an ingredient for one month, please email Student Life. You can be as involved/creative as you want with the recipes and meal!

Student Life welcomes donations to the pantry any time. Current needs include oatmeal/cereal cups, fruit snacks, pasta/pasta sauce, rice/grains, gluten-free items of any kind, kid-friendly items, shampoo, body wash and multipurpose sponges. Your support is appreciated!

Tables will be in Cass Gym Friday during Convocation, which begins at 1 p.m., and at the “Last Call Before Fall” event from 4-6 p.m. inside and outside the Student Union, to accept donations to the LLCC Food Pantry. Faculty and staff are also invited to tour the pantry in the LLCC Student Life office between 4-6 p.m.

Suggested items include:

Food Items

• Trail mix
• To-go peanut butter cups
• Pop-Tarts (toaster pastries)
• Mac & cheese cups
• Tuna salad ready-to-eat kits
• Chicken salad ready-to-eat kits
• Easy peel opening cans of soup (microwave ready)
• Ready-to-eat pasta meals (microwave ready)
• Protein bars
• Granola bars
• Fruit snacks
• Fruit cups & pudding
• Juice (single servings like Juicy Juice)
• Crackers (single servings)

Non-Food Items

• Microwavable safe bowls and plates
• Reusable Utensils
• Personal hygiene products
• Menstrual hygiene products

Effective March 16, the LLCC Food Pantry hours will be changing.

• Mondays – 1-4 p.m.
• Tuesdays – 10 a.m.-noon
• Wednesdays – 1-4 p.m.
• Thursdays – 10 a.m.-noon
• Friday – closed

If you would like to help contribute to the LLCC Food Pantry, please drop off items at LLCC Student Life during regular business hours. If you have other questions, please contact studentlife@llcc.edu. Current items we are in need of are:

• Tuna packets or kits
• Apple sauce
• Juice
• Fruit cups

LLCC Student Life is putting out a call to action — asking faculty and staff to help build Thanksgiving baskets for the LLCC Food Pantry. While the primary purpose of the food pantry during the year is to provide ready-to-eat meals for our students, this time of year the food pantry is looking specifically for items that can help an LLCC student provide a wonderful Thanksgiving meal for their family. These specialty items will be collected through Friday, Nov. 22.

Thank you to the LLCC Student Government Association for getting the baskets started with their recent food drive. Student Life is hoping to put together 10 to 15 baskets for LLCC students and their families. Right now there is enough to make about five baskets. Students that are interested in requesting a basket, can come to the food pantry during regular hours to fill out the form.

Here is a list of items that are needed. Please make sure these items are non-perishable.

• Pumpkin pie or other pie filling
• Graham cracker pie crusts
• Canned sweet potatoes
• Canned cranberry sauce
• Canned mix veggies
• Cream of chicken, vegetable, celery
• Boxed mash potatoes
• Boxed stove top stuffing
• Boxed macaroni and cheese
• Gravy Mix

The food pantry is also in need of the following ready-to-eat items to help get us through the end of the semester:

• Pop-tarts
• Fruit cups/pudding
• Microwavable ready-to-eat pasta meals (like Chef Boyardee)
• Crackers
• Hearty soups/stews
• Soup/Chili/Beef stew in easy-peel open cans
• Cup-o-Noodle or ramen noodle soup
• Fruit snacks
• Cereal bars
• Hot cocoa packets

The LLCC Food Pantry hours of operation for the 2019 fall semester are listed below. The food pantry is located in Student Life and open to any current LLCC student in need, whether short or long term. Students may use the pantry once a week.

• Monday, 10 a.m.-noon
• Wednesday, 10 a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m.
• Friday, 10 a.m.-noon

If you have any questions or wish to donate to the food pantry, please contact LLCC Student Life at studentlife@llcc.edu or 786-2241.