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Rhodes State College Combats Student Hunger with THE SHOP Grand Opening

todayAugust 19, 2019 1

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Lima, Ohio (August, 16, 2019) Rhodes State College is working to combat student hunger and provide students with basic supplies.
“Quite a number of college students are going hungry. They have to choose between continuing their education or dropping out just to eat,” stated Dr. Cynthia E. Spiers, Interim President. “We believe it is important to incorporate food and basic supplies assistance to students in need.”

A food and basic supplies pantry, called The SHOP (Supplies Helping Our Peers), will have a grand opening on Tuesday, August 27, 2019.

“Food insecurity has become an increasingly significant issue across college campuses and can negatively impact a student’s success”, said Nicole Buccalo, Director of Student Engagement & Activities. “The SHOP hopes to alleviate the barriers and challenges associated with basic need insecurity and assist in helping students stay in school to, ultimately, earn their degrees”, she said.

The SHOP was created in response to a 2019 study completed by the Office of Student Engagement & Activities that found 39-percent of students have run out of food at some point, and 29-percent have worried about obtaining hygiene products. These findings show that Rhodes students are facing food insecurity at a rate that is 9-percent higher than the average of college campuses.

On Tuesday, August 27, at 11:00 am, Jacob King, President of the Rhodes State College Faculty Association, will kick off the event with a Ribbon Cutting. Other activities include the Penny Wars and T-Shirt Upcycling for SHOP patrons.

Rhodes State’s Office of Student Engagement & Activities is accepting donations for shelf-stable food items as well as toiletries, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products to continue to stock The SHOP.

Monetary contributions for the SHOP as well as in-kind donations are also appreciated. Donations may be dropped off or sent to Rhodes State College, Office of Student Engagement & Activities, 4240 Campus Drive, Public Service Bldg. # 221, Lima, Ohio, 45804.

Written by: WKTN Staff

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