West Monroe, LA—LDCC West Monroe is thrilled to announce the grand opening of a food pantry and a clothing closet located on the campus. The faculty and staff of LDCC West Monroe initiated this effort to make vital resources readily available to enrolled students as they pursue their certification or degree.
“At LDCC, we're committed to supporting students at every stage, from enrollment to job search. By acknowledging their individual needs, we tailor their experience for maximum impact,” Pam Holland, LDCC West Monroe contact, explains. “Many students experience financial constraints in this area, and this challenge will often lead to unmet needs, including access to essentials like food and clothing.”
A recent study in the Journal of American College Health underscores the impact of food insecurity on college students' academic performance, emphasizing the urgent need for institutions to address basic needs. The LDCC West Monroe Food Pantry aims to alleviate these challenges by providing food to students in need locally.
As students pursue their academic goals at LDCC, job-seeking also becomes integral, with faculty and staff actively involved. Recognizing the need for job interview-appropriate clothing, LDCC West Monroe employees were inspired to create a resource to ensure the accessibility of this necessity for all students.
As a community college, LDCC is committed to seeking solutions that engage and empower its surrounding environment. The dedicated faculty and staff of the West Monroe Campus have bolstered this initiative by donating to both the food pantry and clothing closet. Pharmacy Tech Program Coordinator Misty Moore explains, “Our community at LDCC West Monroe embraces collective action, with every member of our faculty and staff contributing to this cause. Even our welding department’s instructors and students made racks for the closet.” Moore reflects on the teamwork that has driven this effort: “Together, we forge pathways of opportunity for our students, ensuring that no one is left behind.”
LDCC West Monroe also invites the surrounding community to contribute to the cause by donating to the food pantry and providing professional clothing attire for the clothing closet. This effort will help faculty and staff establish these two services as enduring resources, providing ongoing support to students for years to come.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Monday, March 11th, at 11:30 A.M. The surrounding community is welcome to come celebrate this victory for student resources at LDCC West Monroe!