By Jane Salifu
The Tri-C Eastern Campus food pantry just got a significant upgrade, thanks to generous contributions from Alan and Barbara Rosskamm and the Meisel and Pesses Family Foundation. These commitments have helped fund a newly designed pantry space in the student lounge, making it more accessible and equipped to meet students’ needs. The Eastern Campus Pantry—dedicated on October 30—marks the completion of the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation’s initiative to modernize and expand food pantries on all Tri-C campuses, ensuring access to fresh and nonperishable food items for students.
Previously, the Eastern Campus pantry operated out of a small room, offering primarily canned food and toiletries. The new, spacious setup provides room for fresh food options, improving food quality and variety for students in need. The commitment from donors has also established an endowed fund, which will continue to generate income to keep the pantry stocked and operational in the future, creating a sustainable support system for students.
Tri-C partners with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to stock these campus pantries, which now carry a range of fresh produce along with nonperishable items. With similar improvements at other campuses, including the Westshore Campus, which launched its upgraded pantry last year, all Tri-C campuses now offer fully functional student pantries.
Each week, Tri-C students are welcome to receive up to 10 pounds of food from each campus pantry, with the freedom to visit any campus pantry once a week. This support helps students stretch their budgets and ensure they have access to healthy, nutritious food options.
The expansion of the Eastern Campus pantry is a testament to the Tri-C commitment to student well-being, alleviating food insecurity, and fostering a supportive campus environment. With this new pantry, Tri-C is making strides to ensure that students have the resources they need to focus on their education and thrive.
