The North Lake Food Pantry is open to students in need of a quick bite to eat.
Dallas College partners with the North Texas Food Bank to provide free food for students. Grab-and-go snack packs are available in the morning that include milk, breakfast bars and fruit.
The food pantry, filled with canned goods packaged items and occasional fresh foods, is also open to members of the surrounding community every Friday.
“I appreciate they have this kind of stuff here,” community member Evonna Clark said. She came for the first time and her experience with the food pantry was very positive. She found lots of items well organized on the shelves.
Success Coach Crystal Larthridge contributes to the food pantry and sometimes
shops there too.
“I don’t want to just take. I also want to give because I know there are students who are in need as well as the community members,” Larthridge said. “This place provides (for the) needs – not just only for our students, but also the community.”
Larthridge works to make students aware of the food pantry. She said some students don’t know that there is a food pantry on campus.
Marie-Esther Koffi works in the food pantry. She makes sure there are no expired
products and coordinates items on the shelves.
“It’s like a shop where we get selling and dealing-with-customers skills,” Koffi said. She added that she feels like a customer service representative when working in the food pantry.
Free groceries, including fresh produce and milk, are among the items available on a first-come-first-served basis. Customers are advised to arrive early to ensure
access to fresh produce. Juice, tuna, chicken kits or ramen noodle cups are frequently available.
Students and community members can sign up to receive text notifications when perishable food items are available by texting CARE to 469-262-2009. Food pantry volunteers are always needed, especially on delivery days. Donated items are also appreciated.
The food pantry is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.