Brooklyn Park Campus Opens New Food Pantry to Support Students
Brooklyn Park, October 14, 2024 - Hennepin Technical College officially opened the doors to its new Food Pantry at the Brooklyn Park Campus, marking a major milestone in supporting students' access to essential food resources. The Food Pantry, a cross-campus collaborative effort, is the result of a project that began over the summer. Aimed at providing sustainable, accessible, and intentional food assistance for students, the pantry is set to offer a supplemental source of groceries and other food items.
A team of departments across the campus contributed to bringing the Food Pantry to life. Facilities staff worked diligently to reorganize and set up the space, while MarCom enhanced signage and promotion efforts. IT provided essential support to ensure a smooth check-out experience for students visiting the pantry. With contributions from Hennepin County and the Hennepin Tech Foundation, the pantry is equipped with coolers, freezers, and shelf-stable storage areas to accommodate weekly deliveries.
"This initiative has been a priority, and we’re thrilled to see it come to fruition," said Stephen Harper, Director of Student Life and Career Development and member of the Hunger Free Campus Committee. "Our goal has always been to create a welcoming, reliable space where students can get the support they need."
To celebrate the grand opening, the pantry will be open Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., during the week of October 14th. Afterward, the regular operating hours will be Tuesday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weekly deliveries through Second Harvest and the Food Group will keep the pantry fully stocked, ensuring that students have continuous access to fresh and non-perishable foods.
For students in need, the pantry provides a straightforward process for access. First-time users will fill out the same form previously used for food distribution, and future visits will be logged electronically for reporting purposes.
In addition to the Food Pantry, free meals from the Kitchen Coalition will also be available in the Food Pantry, as well as at the Student Life Center and the Public Safety and Police Science Center, further enhancing food access on campus.
The Brooklyn Park Student Senate and Hennepin Tech President Joy have prioritized making the Food Pantry a reality. Future plans include expanding the initiative to the Eden Prairie campus in the coming year, ensuring that more students across the college community benefit from these critical resources.
About Hennepin Technical College
Founded in 1972, Hennepin Tech is the largest stand-alone technical college in Minnesota. With campuses in Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie, the college offers degree and non-degree courses in over 40 programs in the skilled trades and high-demand career fields. Achieving a high job placement rate, Hennepin Tech prepares students for high-paying employment opportunities.