THIEF RIVER FALLS – Students at Northland Community and Technical College’s Thief River Falls campus will be able to receive food and personal care items next week.
The Thief River Falls Food Shelf will be on the campus at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 21, to distribute the items. Northland is partnering with the Food Shelf to address food insecurity for students, which is one of the most prevalent issues that college students face.
According to the 2020 #RealCollege survey of students at 28 Minnesota colleges and universities, 37% of respondents were food insecure in the prior 30 days, with 60% experiencing some form of basic needs uncertainty in the previous year. The survey is conducted nationwide, and is an annual assessment of basic needs for college students.
“At Northland, we know our students are no exception to the troubling contours of the college student experience,” said Jason Pangiarella, Northland’s student success coordinator and adviser. “Northland serves students from many different backgrounds and circumstances, so we are fortunate to present this service to all of our students.”
Items available for students will include boxed meals, produce, dairy products and meat, as well as some personal care and household items. The assortment is meant for recipients to make well-balanced meals with as few ingredients as possible.
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Students wishing to participate in the TRF Food Shelf distribution at Northland can contact Pangiarella, or sign up at Northland’s financial aid or student life offices.
Alecia Hunt, of the TRF Food Shelf, says she has met quite a few students who are in need in the community.
“There has been an increase in the number of students seeking assistance from the food shelf in the past year or so,” she said. “We want to introduce ourselves and our services to Northland students. Hopefully, this will make them feel comfortable and make it easy to continue to access the food shelf in the future as the need arises.”
Both Northland and the TRF Food Shelf hope to make this partnership permanent. Pangiarella said the college is fortunate to have the food shelf available in the community.
The technical college has launched the Northland Student Basic Needs website , to help ensure student welfare on and off campus. The website is being used to help students get access to essential services, such as food, housing, or mental health resources, and will connect them with Northland staff, who can provide support and guidance.
