“Virtual pantry” at Pikes Peak Community College offers assistance to people experiencing food insecurity

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - Pikes Peak Community College is helping people both inside and outside of the classroom through its food assistance program called the "Virtual Pantry".

With the majority of classes being held remotely in the fall, the program transitioned online as well.

The food is donated by Southern Colorado's Care and Share Food Bank for students, staff, and members of the community who are experiencing food insecurity. Students now have to register completely online and select a time slot to pick up their groceries.

Students who attend classes at the Centennial campus can pick up food in-person. The virtual pantry is also available for mobile delivery for students and staff at the Rampart Range and Downtown Studio campuses.

“We came up with this way to pre-package items and give students food in a low-contact way," says Skyler Martin, a former student who now helps run the program. “We love helping. There’s never anything wrong with asking for help and getting some food.”

On average, the virtual pantry feeds about 100 households per week. Each bag of groceries contains enough to not just feed students but their families, too.

Students and staff do not need to show identification or demonstrate need to qualify for the program. Food is handed out on a first-come, fisrt-served basis.

Since its creation, Pikes Peak Community College's food assistance program has fed more than 150,000 pounds of food to over 15,000 people.

More on how to receive assistance or volunteer for the program can be found here.