Ruth Chungi
In Motion Staff writer
While juggling late night assignments, a job, and early classes, students often don’t have time to grab a bite to eat. And as research proves, an empty stomach not only diminishes your energy, but your concentration as well.
Students don’t have to be math majors to calculate that a hungry student plus a college class equals a formula for disaster.
The Center for Women and Men, however, have found a way to rewrite the formula and fuel Daytona State College Falcons to new heights. As of Aug. 29 the center opened up the Falcon Fuel Food Pantry, which offers an array of pre-packed refreshments and nonperishable food items to DSC students. The pantry includes students’ favorite snacks such as Pringles, granola bars, Cheez-it, and let’s not forget the staple food item of ever college student, ramen noodles.
During the fall semester alone, the pantry collected over 489 units of food from staff, administrators and faculty who got with the program from the very start. It is projected to support 163 students by the semester’s end. Numerous Falcons have already benefited from the program.
Diligent student Julie Nguyen is a testament to that. “Since I have back-to-back math classes, it’s nice to have somewhere to get something to eat that’s close by and free. That way I can focus during class”.
Though it may seem impossible, in addition to the wonderful selection of snacks, the food pantry offers more surprises. Time, as every student knows, is not the only thing they are short of. Money is another limiting factor for a lot of students. That is why the food pantry offers all its goods at absolutely no charge.
To receive food from the pantry, the Center for Women and Men require students to be presently enrolled at DSC with a student ID card for verification. Those who meet the criteria and find themselves hungry in-between classes, should not hesitate to head on over to Falcon Fuel to re-energize. The pantry is open from 9 a.m to 4 p.m Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m to noon Friday. It is located in the Center for Women and Men, Building 300 room 227 on the Daytona Beach Campus. Students can receive up to three food items of their choice once a day.
The center is always seeking food donations that will enable it to continue its student-empowering program. For further information you can call them on 386-506-3068.