PTC opens The Hope Pantry in Greenwood

This semester, Piedmont Technical College is (quite literally) providing students with food for thought. Officials from the college, the Food Bank of Greenwood County, and the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of The Hope Pantry on September 6 on the Lex Walters Campus-Greenwood.

“This day has been years in the making. We’ve long known there was a need for a food pantry on campus, but it took just the right circumstances, relationships, and hard work to finally bring it to fruition,” PTC President Dr. Hope E. Rivers said. “This is a college with a strong culture of caring. We make a point to actually ‘see’ every student and provide whatever they need to succeed.”

Food Bank of Greenwood County Executive Director Andrea White prepares to cut the ribbon provided by the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce

The pantry was made possible through a key partnership with the Food Pantry of Greenwood County. Other donors include Second Harvest Food Bank, Ascend Cares Foundation, Zeta Phi Beta and Zeta Amicae sororities, as well as private individuals.

“We celebrate new hope for the students and staff of Piedmont Technical College — the hope and assurance that having food access and equity will be at their disposal on a daily basis,” Food Bank of Greenwood County Executive Director Andrea White said. “For years, this pantry will continue to enrich the lives of countless students, staff, and their families.”

The Hope Pantry carries non-perishable items (such as canned goods, cereal, and pasta), as well as frozen meats, baked goods, and everyday essentials (such as toiletries and baby items). When available, the pantry will carry fresh produce. Some donated clothing also is available at the pantry location, room 128-F on the PTC Greenwood campus.

Food Bank of Greenwood County Executive Director Andrea White with Greenwood Chamber President Trentsie Williams

Kendra LaGreca, student life coordinator at PTC, is the primary staff contact for the pantry. Operated by volunteers, pantry hours are on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-4 p.m. LaGreca hopes, with the proper support, to expand those hours and, possibly, even to establish small pantries on the college’s other six county campuses as well.

“We recognize that there are often significant sacrifices that students make to further their education and to better their lives,” LaGreca said. “With this pantry, we aim to ensure that access to healthy nourishment is not one of those sacrifices.”