Charlotte, N.C./Aug. 23, 2022 –Nearly 40 percent of college-aged students are considered low-income and, as a result, experience issues such as food insecurity.
Dr. Cathy Jones, dean of Students, and the entire student affairs team work closely to assure students’ needs are met. Thankfully, Ƶ has the Golden Bulls General Market, currently located in Davis House, which provides food and general care products to University students.
During a press conference Tuesday, Paige Pauroso, communication specialist for Harris Teeter, presented a $50,000 check to Dr. Davida Haywood, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management; Jones; and SGA President Kennedy Pearson ’23. The funds will be used over the next five years to make sure the pantry remains fully stocked.
“We want students at JCSU to focus on their education and becoming tomorrow’s leaders,” said Pauroso. “We don’t want them worrying about where their next meal will come from.”
“Harris Teeter’s donation provides more resources that will help meet our students’ physical and mental needs,” added Jones. “Students are not only going to class, but working, so it is inevitable that they will miss a meal. It is important that we provide these resources to not just our traditional students, but also to our Phasing Up foster care students and our international students.”
Pearson, who was there to represent the JCSU students, was able to talk to a number of Harris Teeter representatives, and thanked them for their donation, which will go to providing resources to the student body she represents.
She said that the food pantry has been a much-needed resource for students, especially young mothers and fathers.
“I’m a young mother and while I have the support I need from my parents and my ‘village,’ I know not everyone has that type of support,” Pearson said. “This food pantry can help provide for students who don’t know where the next meal is coming.” For more information about the Golden Bulls General Market, contact Jones at cjones2@jcsu.edu.