Washington County, OH — With inflation running rampant, the need for local food pantries is multiplying at an alarming rate. When two local colleges expressed their need for assistance, Marietta Community Foundation got to work facilitating short and long-term solutions.
The food pantry at Washington State Community College (WSCC) is currently serving approximately 5 times the number of students typically assisted during the summer semester. This substantial rise in need exhausted allotted funding more than two months early — threatening to leave students and their families without weekly food boxes.
Marietta College was also found to need assistance stocking its shelves for students housed there during the summer.
A combined total of $4,000 was requested by the Colleges to provide food to their students through the summer — a request willingly fulfilled by DeepRock Disposal Solutions.
“We operate our small local business and raise our family in this community, so we understand the unique needs and struggles that these rapidly changing times have on local citizens and businesses,” said Brian Chavez of DeepRock Disposal Solutions. “We’re proud to offer help and hope to our neighbors focused on bettering themselves.”
In addition to this short-term satisfaction, the Colleges will join 13 other food pantries in receiving quarterly distributions from the MCF Dominion Resources Food Pantry Fund. This fund was established many years ago through a partnership between Marietta Community Foundation and Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation to provide ongoing support to food pantries serving Washington County citizens.
WSCC anticipates more students seeking assistance once the Fall semester begins in August. They are currently making adjustments to their services and seeking a long-term solution to combat rising food costs and the growing number of students in need.
“For the summer, we are partnering with Washington County Harvest of Hope to subsidize our pantry boxes with additional groceries and fresh produce, however, this is not a long-term solution,” said Megan Hardway, Director of Foundation and Development at WSCC. “With the significant spike in the cost of living, we’ve seen a substantial increase in applications for pantry assistance. When students return in the fall, and our campus population is at its peak, we anticipate an even greater demand on the support from our pantry.”
“We sincerely appreciate the support from our donors and our partners. Their help is an invaluable way that makes it possible for the WSCC Foundation to support students in pursuit of their education," added Hardway.
Monetary donations to support Washington County food pantries can be made online at www.mcfohio.org/donate or delivered to Marietta Community Foundation, 100 Putnam St. Marietta, OH 45750.
Marietta Community Foundation brings together passionate donors and causes to improve Washington County, Ohio for generations to come. Founded in 1974, the Foundation manages more than 350 funds and has distributed more than $24.5 million to charities while meeting rigorous national standards in the community foundation sector.