Food Pantry To Reach Out To Student Veterans

A new food pantry opens next month on the Parkland College campus in Champaign, and it is being tailored to reach out to student veterans.

Kristina Taylor is the Coordinator for Veterans and Military Personnel Student Services at Parkland. She said there are up to 400 student veterans each semester. Taylor said many of those who need help aren’t willing to ask for it.                     

“They’ve been trained to become self-sufficient and to be able to depend on themselves and not have to depend on others, and then now we’re asking them to go ask people for help,” Taylor said. “And it just goes against everything they’ve been taught, so they don’t like to do that."

Donna Camp is organizing Parkland’s food pantry. She said she is hoping that by having other student veterans spread the word about it and even volunteer, it’ll break down barriers keeping some people from getting help.

“So, we’re making a very special effort to let veterans know that even though they have been in the position of being the one to serve other people, it’s ok to take a turn to be the one served as well,” Camp said.

The pantry opens on Dec. 11 from 7am until 2pm, and will remain open on the second Wednesday of every month.  In addition to veterans, Camp said anyone can stop by for assistance.