Rabobank donates $10K toward ending PVC student hunger: Local bank delivers funds
to college as part 'Hunger Free Campus Initiative'
By Uriel Avendano/Times Editor Jan 26, 2019
In commitment to and support of maximizing local collegiate student success, representatives
from the resident Rabobank company presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to the
Palo Verde College (PVC) Foundation at the campus Anthony J. Reale Building's Assembly
Room, Jan. 24.
The "Hunger Free Campus Initiative" donation sum served as a vital infusion of fiscal
support toward kick-starting a campus-based food pantry for students who struggle
making ends meet in their day-to-day lives - a tangible concern that's felt and reportedly
grown across college and university institutions nationwide.
"Rabobank looks to be supportive of all communities we're in. Most of the communities
we're in are ag communities, in rural areas. We have specific groups of local employees
that form a CLG - a Community Leadership Group. And that specific group is responsible
for and are given a budget to support non-profit activities within a community," noted
visiting Rabobank Senior Vice President and Retail Market Manager Randy Taylor to
the Times. "In this particular case, (Blythe-based Rabobank Vice President and Branch
Manager) Trudie (Cook) reached out to our CRA (Community Re-investment Act) group
that provided the college with a grant application, which she submitted and they awarded."
Originally brought to the forefront of conversation last year due to the concerning
results of a survey conducted by PVC Director of Student Success & Equity Jaclyn Randall,
the college's first-ever Food Insecurity Advisory Committee was subsequently formed
in July 2018. Membership included supporting administrative staff and teaching faculty
who shared a vision of providing students the best opportunity for success by addressing,
and ultimately ending, student hunger.
With the committed partnership of the PVC Foundation Board of Directors President
Marcella Thomas and respective Executive Director Stephanie Slagan, the Food Insecurity
Advisory Committee's efforts ramped up over the fall with according meals provided
to enrolled student households in need during the holidays.
A total of 25 Thanksgiving meal disbursements, which fed 138 people, were provided
for participating students; additionally, a total of 28 Christmas meal disbursements,
which fed 149 people, were provided.
Confidentiality for the student sign-up program is noted by the PVC Food Insecurity
Advisory Committee membership as a priority to avoid any potential stigma; with the
hope of hosting all future meal disbursements on-campus, the substantial donation
by Rabobank makes that plan possible significantly sooner.
"This Rabobank donation is going to allow us to open up our food pantry in February,"said
Slagan, noting the college' food pantry will be aptly titled The Pirates Chest. "If
we would not have received this donation, we would not have been able to open in February
- it' big. We'e been planning, and we'e been applying for grants, so we'e so excited
to have received this first one from Rabobank that will help us."
As previously reported, the original 2018 food insecurity survey asked PVC students
a total of eight questions pertaining to regular meals and nutrition, the results
of which were:
"Q1: 'I worried whether my food would run out before I got money to buy more.' Often
true? Sometimes true? Never true?"
51% answered in the two affirmative responses (15%, often true; 35.83%, sometimes
true).
"Q2: "The food that I bought just didn't last, and I didn't have money to get more.'
Often true? Sometimes true? Never true?"
49% answered in the two affirmative responses (14.17%, often true; 35%, sometimes
true).
"Q3: 'I couldn't afford to eat balanced meals.' Often true? Sometimes true? Never
true?"
53% answered in the two affirmative responses (18.33%, often true; 35%, sometimes
true).
Additionally, questions four through six found that - over the preceding 30 days -
27% of students had cut the size of meals or skipped meals because there wasn't enough
money for food; 27% of students ate less than they felt they should because there
wasn't enough money for food; and 25% of students found themselves hungry but didn't
eat because there wasn't enough money for food.
Question seven found that 17% lost weight because there wasn't enough money for food;
and question eight found 10% had experienced going a whole day without food because
there wasn't enough money.
With further support being applied for from the resident Community Improvement Fund
(CIF), the PVC Food Advisory Committee remains committed to ensuring resident students
don't go without meals in their day-to-day pursuit of higher education.
"We're ready to serve and help our students toward their success," said Randall, noting
upcoming mass student emails and campus signage expected to go out announcing the
forthcoming Pirates Chest meal disbursement schedule.
For Rabobank, the donation serves as an opportunity to partner with the community
toward a common goal of ensuring the best growth and success of the next generation
of local leaders.
"Rabobank is not a for-profit; we don't have stock holders, like most institutions
or most banks. The whole purpose of Rabobank is to take care of our customers, our
employees and the communities in which we serve," noted Taylor.
|