Eastfield, North Texas Food Bank Partnership Expands to Pleasant Grove
Together with the North Texas Food Bank, Eastfield College is expanding its mobile food pantry service to its Pleasant Grove campus with monthly visits that will deliver food and fresh produce to those in need.
More than 60 percent of DCCCD students reported marginal or worse food security, according to a survey by the Hope Lab. District data show that more than 20 percent of DCCCD students live in poverty.
Every day, students are facing unenviable choices like paying for books or paying for food, said Eastfield President Dr. Eddie Tealer.
"The reality is that educational institutions must identify and break down the barriers that have historically impeded our students' success," Tealer said. "We saw that food insecurity was near the top of that list, so all seven of the DCCCD campuses now have food pantries on-site."
No application is required for this free service to students and community members. The College is aiming for at least 100 families to be served through this expansion.
"We know that the Pleasant Grove campus is an important resource for the surrounding community, whether it's to enroll in courses or attend community events and activities," said Katy Launius, Eastfield's Dean of Student Success and Wellness. "We're glad to provide this resource to students and community members alike."
The mobile pantry visit to the Pleasant Grove campus will be 10 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, Feb. 18. Tealer and members of his leadership team will attend the event.
Eastfield's Mesquite campus food pantry, the Honeycomb Cupboard, is open Monday-Friday in room C104A. It also serves students and community members.
Tealer said that the need for services has been so high that pantry will move to a larger location this summer and add refrigerated foods to its offerings.
The College's Center for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity connects students with district and community services to combat other barriers to education – such as unaffordable child care, homelessness and lack of health care.
Details
Mobile Food Pantry at Eastfield Pleasant Grove campus
802 S. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, 75217
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m.-noon
Students Commons Area or back parking lot, depending on the weather.
Additional visits this semester on the third Tuesday of the month, March 24, April 21 and May 19.
Mobile Pantry at Eastfield College Main Campus
3737 Motley Drive, Mesquite 75150
First Thursday of the month outside the G-Building (Parking Lot 8) or in the G lobby, depending on the weather.
Dates this semester: March 5, April 2 and May 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Honeycomb Cupboard food pantry at Eastfield College Main Campus
3737 Motley Drive, Room C104A, Mesquite 75150
Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3-6 p.m.
eastfieldcollege.edu/pantry
Eastfield Center for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity
3737 Motley Drive, Room C145, Mesquite 75150
4CEID@dcccd.edu, 972-860-7251