Grayson College is Committed to Serving

The campus takes a multi-faceted approach to distributing food so that no student goes without.

At Grayson College, faculty and staff are committed to making sure no one shows up to class hungry.

Along with monthly drive-through food distributions, the college has an on-site pantry that’s open to students, newspaper-style boxes stocked with snacks throughout campus, and a walk-through market where students can pick up snacks and other items at no charge. These services are part of the Grayson Cares program, which connects students to food assistance, emergency support, counseling resources and community referrals.

“I think it makes students feel understood and wanted and cared for,” says Kami, a student and part-time worker at Vic’s Market who also picks up food items when she needs them. “They care enough to say, ‘We know you don’t have extra money or that you need an extra snack’ and they care enough to make sure that’s here.”

At Vic’s Market, Kami provides students with everything from yogurt and Pop-Tarts to peanut butter and canned soup. The market that is funded by an outside grant is stationed next to the walk-in School Pantry stocked with non-perishable food provided largely from North Texas Food Bank.

Billie Dawson, administrative assistant in the Counseling and Social Services department, says teachers often refer students to the pantry or students refer themselves. It’s available for them to shop whenever it’s needed.

In various buildings elsewhere on campus, staff have placed boxes that look like newspaper stands and stocked them with snack items. The snacks are meant to provide enough fuel to get through a class, exam or presentation—all of which is more difficult to do on an empty stomach.

Nationwide, it’s estimated as many as a third of college students will face hunger during their educational career, which can be a barrier to completing school. NTFB partners with campuses like Grayson College in an effort to meet the needs of students.

Corey Leird, Director of Counseling and Social Services at Grayson College, said Grayson College’s enrollment of around 5,000 ranges from traditional and non-traditional students and part-time and working students to adult learners, first generation students and high school students completing dual credit classes. When a student is food insecure and learns resources are available, Corey says the relief is evident.

“Relief, joy—you can see it,” says Corey. “We’ve literally had students who’ve said they would not have had food this week without this.”

During the monthly drive-through food distributions, Grayson College also serves the community.

Connie, a neighbor who retired early due to a disability, visited for the first time recently after struggling to afford groceries. She said the box of food and produce provided would mean she has enough in her budget to pay her other bills during the month.

“It’s really great what you all do,” she says. “I was hungry. I’m only on social security and I clean two houses, so it’s really tough even though it’s just me. This means a lot.”

Corey says whether students or neighbors, they aim to meet them where they’re at and ensure that they’re not having to worry about where their next meal will come from.