This content was published: January 31, 2025. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Beyond the Food Pantry: A Holistic Approach to Supporting Students
Posted by anne.grey
Presenters: Kendi Esary, Chelsea Kimmett, and Tammy Dowd.
Summary
In this presentation, Kendi Esary, Chelsea Kimmett, and Tammy Dowd introduce PCC’s expanding approach to student basic needs. While food access remains an important part of the work, the presenters emphasize that basic needs also include housing, transportation, healthcare, childcare, legal assistance, mental health resources, and other supports that can affect a student’s ability to stay enrolled and succeed academically.
The session highlights PCC’s Basic Needs, Sustainability & Leadership program and its shift toward a peer-to-peer, mutual aid model. Students can access Panther Pantries, Free Food Markets, Panther Snacks, Panther Packs, emergency food vouchers, transportation support, legal resources, and other services. Basic Needs Hubs located near campus pantries provide one-stop resource navigation and connect students with additional support beyond immediate food assistance.
A key part of this model is the Peer Resource Navigator program. Student navigators help their peers understand and access resources such as SNAP, the Oregon Health Plan, transportation assistance, housing information, childcare resources, mental health providers, and community food programs. This approach centers student experience, reduces stigma, and provides support from peers who understand how complicated these systems can feel.
The presenters also emphasize the important role faculty and staff play in connecting students with resources. Rather than simply giving a student a website or email address, faculty can use a warm handoff by listening to the student, asking permission to share resources, walking with them to a service when possible, or sending a three-way introductory email. These small actions can reduce barriers and help students feel supported while maintaining their choice and independence.
Slides: Beyond the Food Pantry
Presentation Outcomes
- Define student basic needs broadly and recognize how food, housing, transportation, healthcare, childcare, safety, and other needs can affect academic success.
- Recognize the extent of basic needs insecurity among PCC students and understand why basic needs support is connected to persistence, belonging, and student success.
- Identify PCC resources including Panther Pantries, Free Food Markets, Panther Snacks, Panther Packs, transportation assistance, the Legal Resource Center, and Basic Needs Hubs.
- Explain how PCC’s peer-to-peer and mutual aid model uses student leaders and Peer Resource Navigators to connect students with resources and reduce stigma.
- Identify services available through Basic Needs Hubs, including assistance with SNAP, Oregon Health Plan, transportation, housing, childcare, mental health resources, and community referrals.
- Use warm handoffs to connect students with resources through active listening, transparency, student choice, personal introductions, and three-way emails.
- Share basic needs information in courses through syllabus language, class resources, referrals, and other regular communication with students.
Post generated by CTLE Web Designer Gem on 08/16/2026