To support student success, we helped stock campus food pantries

One day last winter, Amy McLaughlin got an unusual work assignment: Go to Sam’s Club and stock up on food for college students.  

“We’re going to get mac and cheese, we’re going to get soups, we’re going to get chips, we’re going to get some fruit snacks,” Amy, Manager of Reception and Guest Services at Granite Edvance, said before embarking on her mission.   

Granite Edvance then delivered the sizeable haul of groceries to the food pantries at the three colleges in the University System of New Hampshire, along with donations of $2,000 to each.  

“We supported students with scholarships in a financial way [in the past],” said Christiana Thornton, President and CEO of Granite Edvance. “Thinking about those basic human needs was something that we hadn’t necessarily focused on as much, but recognized that if a student isn’t eating, then they may not be performing as well in school.” 

The students who run the food pantry at Plymouth State University said the tins of soup, bags of chips, and packets of noodles make a meaningful difference. “When you’re going into your midterms or your finals or any time during the semester, the last thing you want to think about is where your next meal is coming from,” said Matthew Barlow, Vice President of the Student Support Foundation at Plymouth State University. “So what we want to do is ease those economic financial troubles, and this is a great resource for students who are struggling in that department. Come here, get some food, make yourself a good healthy dinner, and that way you can really succeed and crush your academics.” 

Lex Gargan, who helps run the Hungry Owl food pantry at Keene State College, agreed: “It has a big impact on students. Food instability is one of the biggest issues that college students face, one that can be really challenging to handle alone.” 

This is the third year that Granite Edvance has made food and monetary donations to the three schools, a project initiated by Matt Wallace, Vice President of Education and Career Pathways, following conversations with college students. “Many of them were saying how they were having a hard time getting the food that they need to be fulfilled and be able to focus that energy elsewhere,” Matt said. “So when I came to Granite Edvance, the food insecurity efforts that are ongoing now is really something I wanted to be a part of and feel really proud that we are bringing that to the community of need.” 

The food pantries often provide more than just physical nourishment. Ashley Trogler, President of the Student Support Foundation at Plymouth State, explained: “We do also understand that this is a food pantry for essentials, but there’s also that nice feeling to have a nice warm meal that maybe like a cup of hot chocolate. It’s not an essential per se, but we also understand that you want to get that feel of just being able to pour yourself a nice cup.” 

Students don’t take the support for granted.  

“I had an individual come in last week, during last week’s stock, and this person was just so bright. They were so grateful. She was walking around, picking things that she needed, and the amount of times that she said, ‘Thank you,’ and just double checking that it was okay that she was taking what she was taking. It’s just – everyone’s so grateful,” Ashley said.  

Matthew Roussous, who helps run the Hungry Owl, has had similar experiences: “I’ve had people who come in here, and they don’t really know about the program, and they want to know how things work. They want to give me money. They want to offer something, and they’re astounded every time that I tell them, ‘It’s free. Take as much as you need.’ And it borders on disbelief for them, and they’re always so happy.” 

Granite Edvance staff have contributed to college food pantry donations for the past three years.  

“A heart for our mission and a heart for students is really why people choose to work at this organization,” Christiana said. “There’s really nothing more heartwarming and more meaningful than ensuring that students are well fed.”