Pantry In College
Starting college is a great accomplishment for all who attend. It represents the next chapter in one’s life wherein a young adult takes further ownership of their future. In the case of foster children, those next steps represent a chance to find order in the tumult that preceded that moment. However, for them and the myriad of others who share similar circumstances, those steps are occluded by ignorance of the upcoming challenges. The inability to project many of these challenges lead to poor outcomes that, many times, leaves the young adult degree-less and burden with debt. The University of Alabama’s recognition of this fact and efforts to retain this vulnerable population through the Alabama Reach Program ought to be celebrated. From a
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Many of my peers go through college with adult responsibilities from the onset. We work our way through college paying rent, auto loans, and whatever other incidental expenses arise. But a combination of limited time and work experience leads to low earnings ability, which make it hard to cover all requisite expenses. The pantry acts as a buffer when we only have enough to keep the lights on. Before the pantry became a reality, I can remember weekly cycles of rationing out a box of dollar pancake mix until my next payday. I appreciate breakfast for dinner as much as anyone however, after the third night, it gets old. This doesn’t have to happen at the University of Alabama anymore. When a student, within the program, needs something to get them through a hard time, they go to the third floor of Lloyd Hall. They speak to Shannon Hubbard and she opens the doors, allowing them to get what they need. Pride exudes from this student. I pride derived from enduring a tumultuous childhood. This pride can make it difficult to ask for help; to let others know their struggle. But the pantry normalizes this experience. It tells this student that others struggle too. A discrete place where a person born out of absence can go and seek provisions, plays a vital role in the ensuring that student continues on their path. The University of Alabama is supporting foster and homeless youth well above any other University in this state. I pray that
Many of my peers go through college with adult responsibilities from the onset. We work our way through college paying rent, auto loans, and whatever other incidental expenses arise. But a combination of limited time and work experience leads to low earnings ability, which make it hard to cover all requisite expenses. The pantry acts as a buffer when we only have enough to keep the lights on. Before the pantry became a reality, I can remember weekly cycles of rationing out a box of dollar pancake mix until my next payday. I appreciate breakfast for dinner as much as anyone however, after the third night, it gets old. This doesn’t have to happen at the University of Alabama anymore. When a student, within the program, needs something to get them through a hard time, they go to the third floor of Lloyd Hall. They speak to Shannon Hubbard and she opens the doors, allowing them to get what they need. Pride exudes from this student. I pride derived from enduring a tumultuous childhood. This pride can make it difficult to ask for help; to let others know their struggle. But the pantry normalizes this experience. It tells this student that others struggle too. A discrete place where a person born out of absence can go and seek provisions, plays a vital role in the ensuring that student continues on their path. The University of Alabama is supporting foster and homeless youth well above any other University in this state. I pray that