TCAT Upper Cumberland operating food pantries across its campuses to address a prevalent hunger issue among its student population.
President Cliff Wightman said the food pantries are located at the Livingston and Crossville campuses, with a new location opening in Bledsoe next week. Wightman said the school also partners with Vol State to provide a pantry at the Cookeville Higher Education Center.
“They’re designed for is exactly what they’re named, as what the name describes,” Wightman said. “They’re for all of our students who might have additional nutrition needs and things of that nature. So they’re open as long as a TCAT’s open.”
Wightman said the institution focuses on breaking down barriers for students in rural areas where access to nutrition can be a challenge. Wightman said many students come from backgrounds involving financial difficulties and the school aims to ease that burden while they train to change their lives.
“It’s a huge issue,” Wightman said. “And granted there are a lot of folks in Upper Cumberland that try to help with this issue. Lots of initiatives, UCHRA, different groups like that. Lots of churches that are always trying to contribute to it. But no, it is a very, very prevalent problem.”
Wightman said the pantries are placed in discreet locations to ensure students can access them without embarrassment. Wightman said the program is not monitored, allowing students to come and go as they please to pick out the food products they need.
“We don’t actually monitor how many they get,” Wightman said. “It’s very, very discreet. At the same time it’s very liberal to what the student can get from it. So it works out very well.”
Wightman said the pantries rely on a variety of contributors, including Food Lion in Livingston, utility companies, and independent businesses. Wightman said the inventory often includes high-protein staples, desserts, and occasionally hygiene products like diapers and toothpaste.
“The food, you know, we go through it rather quickly,” Wightman said. “So, you know, it has to be going to some good. I would say, that it fulfills that need.”
Wightman said the need is significant because many students are supporting families while attending school. Wightman said providing these resources allows students to focus on their education and career goals rather than worrying about where their family’s next meal will come from.
“Sometimes some of our students will actually donate stuff to the food pantry themselves,” Wightman said. “Some of the students that’s able to. But as far as anything like that that’s breaking down barriers to a student, it’s the sky’s the limit.”
Wightman said anyone interested in supporting the effort can contact any TCAT Upper Cumberland campus to donate.
