Southwest, Kroger partner to open The Pantry for campus students

By Victoria Brown 

Southwest Tennessee Community College staff attend the ribbon cutting
event of The Pantry along with Sheleah Harris (at right), corporate affairs
director at Kroger, on Aug. 29, 2024.

With the opening of The Pantry on the Macon Cove Campus, Southwest Tennessee Community College students in need of essential food supplies now have access to free food items. It officially opened on Aug.29 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held inside The Taste Cafeteria.

The food pantry is a partnership with Kroger and its Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation campaign, and aims to lessen hunger and waste issues in communities across the U.S. 

During the ribbon cutting, Sheleah Harris, corporate affairs director at Kroger, shared that the grocery chain company is excited to partner with the College on this new initiative. 

“We’re excited about the partnership to really help eliminate hunger as much as we can,” said Harris. “Our purpose is to feed the human spirit at Kroger, and this is just one way that we can do it.”

Kroger also provided a generous $35,000 financial donation to the College for The Pantry, which will be used to continuously purchase and provide a variety of fresh food items to help students stay nourished as they work towards their educational goals. 

“Southwest is committed to supporting our students in every way possible, and the opening of our new food pantry is a resource we’re thrilled to offer,” said Tracy D. Hall, president of Southwest Tennessee Community College. 

The Pantry, sponsored by Kroger, is now available to
Southwest students at the Macon Cove Campus.

“I’m grateful to Kroger for partnering with us to ensure that no student goes hungry. This pantry will allow our students to focus on their education without the worry of food insecurity.” 

View a recap of the ribbon cutting ceremony here or watch below.