Partnerships with the USDA, Healthy Blue, and GBR Food Bank help BRCC to address food insecurity for students
Food Insecurity Statistics
30% of all college students experienced food insecurity at some point in their college careers prior to 2020.
38% of those were students attending 2-year colleges.
129 food banks nationwide are currently engaged in college hunger initiatives.
| Location & Hours of Operation | |
|---|---|
| Bienvenue Student Center, Suite 142 Mid City Campus, 201 Community College Dr. |
|
| Monday - Friday | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
| Email: thestore@mybrcc.edu | |
Why College Students Face Hunger
- Changing demographics
- Rising tuition costs
- Nearby fast-food restaurants can be too costly for students
How The Store Helps Students
- Provides free, nutritious food for currently enrolled students
- Offers convenient access to groceries and ready-to-eat items
- Reduces financial stress caused by rising food and living costs
- Supports student health and academic performance
Our Mission
The Store at BRCC Food Pantry exists to promote awareness of available food resources for both new and returning students. It provides access to healthy "grab-and-go" food options that support student wellness, retention, and academic success.
How to Apply
Step 1: Navigate
- Visit MyBRCC.EDU
- Click "Current Students"
- Click "Dean of Students"
- Click "Student Resources"
- Find "The Store" link
Step 2: Submit
- Upload a current photo ID in the application.
- Monitor your email to receive the status of your application.
Background & Partnership Details
Students in need of food assistance and other necessities have a new means to fulfill their needs at Baton Rouge Community College. BRCC, along with representatives from the USDA, Healthy Blue Louisiana, and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, operate the food pantry, The Store. Located on the BRCC Mid City Campus in the Bienvenue Student Center, Suite 142, The Store was created to address food insecurity and to ensure students have access to essential resources to meet their basic needs so that student success and degree completion remain a key focus.
To officially mark the grand opening of The Store, BRCC’s Chancellor Dr. Willie E. Smith, Mike Manning, President & CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank; and Dr. Christy Valentine-Theard, CEO of Healthy Blue Louisiana, participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a tour of the pantry.
“We are grateful for the partnership and investment in our students by the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and Healthy Blue Louisiana,” said BRCC Chancellor Dr. Willie E. Smith. “Hunger remains a fundamental barrier to education access and completion for a significant number of students. The timing for the opening of our food pantry is a tremendous step forward in meeting the needs of many of our students. With the rising costs of food and other inflation increases, it is comforting to know that The Store can assist our students and the campus community with lending a helping hand in their time of need.”
“We are excited to partner with BRCC to expand our efforts to address food insecurity on community college and university campuses,” said Mike Manning, President and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. “The Store at BRCC will bring much-needed food assistance to the campus community and the BRCC family.”
Healthy Blue Louisiana donated a Traulsen G-series energy-efficient commercial refrigerator with 46 cubic feet of storage space. The all-metal construction and overall design enable better performance, which helps extend the life of fresh produce. The refrigerator is valued at $7,384.
“Healthy Blue is more than just a health insurance plan,” said Dr. Christy Valentine Theard, President of Healthy Blue Louisiana. “We are a trusted community partner who has made good on its promise to work with community organizations and come up with innovative solutions that address critical issues, such as food insecurity. We are listening to our communities, analyzing both health and social needs, and proactively taking action that not only furthers health equity but also lays the foundation for better, healthier futures across our state.”
In addition to partnerships with the BRCC Student Government Association, Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, and Healthy Blue Louisiana, The Store was also made possible through United States Department of Education Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF) funding.