Central Texas College issued the following announcement.
The Central Texas College (CTC) Foundation is holding a contactless, drive-through food drive to replenish its Eagles’ Nest food pantry which was depleted in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Established last November, the food pantry is in need of non-perishable food items and canned goods. Donations can be dropped off in the parking lot of the CTC Clear Creek building on the corner of Clear Creek and Central Texas College Drive on Wednesday from 12 to 3 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Eagles’ Nest is requesting common items such as microwaveable meals, single-serving foods like mac and cheese cups or boxes, soups, ravioli and boxed meals such as Hamburger Helper. There is also a need for bottled water, canned protein such as Vienna sausage, spam, canned chicken, peanut butter, jelly and related items. Pop tarts, cereal, granola bars, sugar, seasonings and condiments like ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise will also be accepted.
CTC established the Eagles’ Nest food pantry to help curb a growing trend among colleges and universities. “National statistics in both two- and four-year institutions have shown 35 to 62 percent of college students have ‘food insecurities,’” said Marcine Chambers, CTC Foundation director. “Because of COVID-19, many students are unable to work or earn a paycheck for food and other household needs. While our students may not be on campus, we still want to help them succeed. If they are hungry or are worrying about their family not having enough to eat, they cannot focus on their studies and achieve their educational goals.”
The Eagles’ Nest also needs toiletry or personal hygiene items including hand soap, shampoo, deodorant, baby wipes and even travel-sized unused toiletries. “At the end of March, we held a drive-by food distribution to help students who needed assistance,” said Chambers. “Distribution bags were prepacked and ready for placement in a student’s car trunk so there was no need to get out of their vehicle. Our food pantry shelves were completely emptied during the distribution.”
The food drop-off will be similar and there will be no need for donors to leave their vehicle. “Donated items will be collected from vehicles by volunteers,” said Chambers. “The items will then be placed on flatbed trailer where they will be sanitized with disinfectant wipes. And for the safety of the donors, volunteers and donated items, the use of hand washing, hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, masks and other safety measures will be followed.”
If you are unable to bring food to the drop-off site, the CTC Foundation has an Amazon wish list, https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2STTDEQ4HXGZI?ref_=wl_share. The list is not all inclusive as any nonperishable food items will be accepted.
Anyone interested in making a monetary donation to assist the Eagles’ Nest food pantry can donate online at ctcd.edu/about-ctc/ctc-foundation/ and click the “Ways to Give” link. Chambers noted, “Donors can then use the PayPal option after clicking ‘Donate’ and they should mark in the comments section the donation is for the food pantry.”
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