Corps Food Pantry Combats Food Insecurity
By Margaret Kovick
Between classes and their duties, cadets have a lot to think about. Many members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets team are working to ensure that basic necessities aren’t on that list.
“A lot of students suffer from food insecurity,” said Keely Arbenz-Smith, the Corps’ case manager for Residential Well-being. “It's nothing to be ashamed of — it’s an issue that we should all be partnering together to help to ameliorate. No Hokie should go hungry.”
The community-supported pantry offers cadets a selection of food, personal hygiene products, and cleaning supplies. By making otherwise unused goods easily accessible, the pantry supports cadets while preventing unnecessary waste.
Arbenz-Smith and Deputy Commandant for 3rd Battalion Col. Bob Shelton '95 created the pantry. They had long been aware of food insecurity in cadets, and members of the Corps staff would buy food for cadets as situations arose. When they noticed the overwhelming amount of unopened, unexpired food thrown away at the end of each semester, they came up with the idea for the pantry.
“Cadets are no different from the regular student population with the life challenges they face,” said Shelton. “We see food insecurity, we see financial difficulties, we see hardship. Typically, there are about two to three weeks prior to finals when we tend to see people's meal plans run out. When they do, there’s always that extra bit of stress. We wanted to help resolve that. We also wanted to have a very quiet, humble way for them to come forward and say, ‘Hey, I need help,’ without embarrassment.”
They created a collection box for usable food and goods, and the response was overwhelming. Before long, the Corps had enough items to offer support to cadets on a walk-in basis.
The pantry started as a temporary countertop installation in a conference room at the end of the 2023 academic year. Since then, it has found a permanent home in the repurposed mailroom of Pearson Hall East.
The pantry allows anyone to help struggling students and allows struggling students to get help, no questions asked.
“We all have our struggles and there's no shame in those struggles — nor should there be,” said Shelton. “We want cadets to understand that we're here to help, and that's exactly what this resource is for. It’s here to get you through whatever challenge you may be experiencing. You are not alone.”
The pantry is available 24/7 and accessible through individuals with access to a key, including deputy commandants, student leaders, and Residential Well-being staff in the Corps.
Arbenz-Smith and Shelton said everyone with a pantry key can also help students connect with other financial assistance resources for ongoing support. This hands-on approach to caring for others is just one piece of servant leadership taught in the corps.
“Whether that means referring them to financial aid, to our corps financial officer, or coaching them through how to budget their dining money better next time, we ensure that pantry access is just the beginning of the support,” said Arbenz-Smith.
By supporting students’ basic needs and complementing The Market of Virginia Tech, the corps pantry helps fulfill the Virginia Tech Advantage commitment to help students reach their academic and career goals.
“The more individuals who support this cause, the more cadets we can help to ensure they reach their finish line with the Corps and Virginia Tech,” said Nicole Freeman Ramos, manager of donor relations, scholarships, and stewardship for the corps.
To support cadets in need, contact Corps of Cadets advancement by calling 540-231-2892 or emailing vtcc@vt.edu.
This story originally ran in VT News on Sep 9, 2024.