Three Rivers College is addressing food insecurity through the Load & Go Student Food Pantry.
The college will hold the second of three mobile food banks Sept. 30 on the TRC campus. Signs will direct recipients to the Load & Go Student Food Pantry, which will serve from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. or as long as supplies last, University Center Director Gail Tinsley explained.
This food bank is sponsored by the SEMO Food Bank and Kroger’s Zero Hunger, Zero Waste Initiative. Students can drive or walk through to pick up bags of food. The first Load & Go on Aug. 30 served around 100 individuals and families.
The school also has an on-campus food pantry which was founded in 2019.
“Our need has really risen. Two years ago there was like, 72 people, and now, last year, there were over 120 visits to the food pantry, and this year, we’ve already had 20 visits to the food pantry since the semester started,” Tinsley said Wednesday, during the monthly trustees meeting.
The last Load & Go is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 28.
The TRC community has responded generously to local needs, according to Dean of Student Services Ann Matthews, who reported the Club Rush event at the beginning of the semester yielded ample food donations.
“They got a ton of food donated because it is a food drive on that same day ... then the next day somebody delivered 300 pounds of food to the food pantry,” she said.
During Club Rush, students also suggested the names of people who may be struggling with food insecurity. Tinsley will follow up with those nominated and offer assistance.
TRC marked International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31 with a program by the Behavioral Health Support Program. Coordinator Corey Reynolds led the presentation.
“We remember the departed. We honor survivors every night with those who lost loved ones to overdose and we extend our support,” he said.
Reynold spoke on loss in the aftermath of substance use. Other presenters included Neann Wedgeworth, harm reduction coordinator for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and Carson Abernathy, the Southeast Missouri Regional Coordinator for ending the HIV epidemic. Attendees were provided with Narcan by the Butler County Health Department and instructed in its use.
Reynolds informed the board the Second Annual Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk will be held Saturday on the school walking trail. The event’s slogan is “No one walks alone.”
An MDHSS study found overdose was the leading cause of death for Missourians ages 18-44 in 2020, and at least 25% of college students seriously consider suicide. Reynolds said TRC hosts mental health events “with strong consideration to raise awareness here on our campus and to show that our institution is taking these issues (seriously), and that we are doing our best to partner with community partners to help combat both of these issues.”
Sherry Phelan, dean of instruction and chief academic officer, reported The Center Stage’s run of “Mary Poppins the Broadway Musical” was the third best-selling show in TRC history (the top seller was “Beauty and the Beast”). The show was directed by Susan Abney and sold over 2,200 tickets. Phelan gave special thanks to Tinnin Center Director Robert Abney and his staff for their backstage assistance.
School President Dr. Wesley Payne had high praise for “Mary Poppins” and other productions.
“If you have not taken the opportunity to come and see one of The Center Stage productions you are missing a really well-run production that’s worthwhile,” he said.