The Rowan College Foundation (RCF), along with the Inspira Health Foundation earmarked $20,000 and $10,000, respectively, to the Rowan College of South Jersey’s (RCSJ) Center for Wellness Pantries at a check presentation ceremony on the Cumberland campus recently.
Representatives from the RCF, Inspira Health Network, and RCSJ were on-hand to celebrate the event.
“We are thrilled that with continued support from our premier partner, Inspira Health, and the Rowan College Foundation, we can ensure that no RCSJ student must choose between their education and their basic nutritional and personal needs,” said Dr. Fred Keating, president, RCSJ. “RCSJ faculty, staff, and administrators recognize that a healthy, nourished student body is critical to our students’ academic success and personal growth.”
“We are so thankful for the generous support form Inspira Health and the Rowan College Foundation,” said Jim Piccone, vice president/chief administrative officer, RCSJ–Cumberland. “When students have access to basic necessities like nutritious food, they are more likely to thrive academically and personally.”
Sarah Palese, director, Foundation and Alumni Relations, RCSJ, shared her thoughts on the importance of the charitable allocation.
“The support from both Inspira Health and the Rowan College Foundation is significant because the pantry helps provide food and other basic resources to our student population,” Palese said. “We are committed to the support of the whole student approach to education.”
“Rowan College of South Jersey’s Center for Wellness and Support (CFW) is a comprehensive department on both college campuses,” she continued. “CFW oversees the supply and distribution of food from our pantries, offers on campus support, and assists currently enrolled students experiencing life stressors including food insecurity.”
Palese explained that when the CFW is supported, it sends an important message to the community that the Center is dedicated to combatting food insecurity and elevating the well-being of the College’s students.
“From a holistic perspective, we know full bellies make better learners,” she said.
Food insecurity has long been a burdensome tribulation for students to experience.
According to fao.org, “A person is food insecure when they lack regular access to enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active healthy life. This may be due to unavailability of food and/or lack of resources to obtain food.”
Palese shared information from a 2023 survey released by the Hope Center for College and Justice at Temple University that stated, “[A]mong undergraduates, food insecurity is higher at community colleges (23.4 percent) than public and private non-profit colleges (20.9 percent and 18.8 percent respectively).”
“The impact of food insecurity can be staggering,” she said. “Coupled with rising academic pressures, the stress of food insecurity leads to increased anxiety and depression and lower overall academic success.
“Students who experience food insecurity are forced to choose between paying tuition and paying for food.”
The CFW is also doing its best to destigmatize the connotations that surround food insecurity.
“There still, unfortunately, is a stigma around people asking for support or assistance,” said Cody Miller, executive director, Advancement and Foundation. “So, the fact that we’re able to do this and everyone can confidentially come here is an opportunity for us to ensure that students are not only fed, but that they get a good experience here at the College.”
“We pride ourselves in our customer service approach,” said Ruby Aparicio-Pagan, director, Behavioral Services, RCSJ–Cumberland. “We try our best to make everyone feel welcome, valued, and supported. Additionally, we work on removing barriers to accessing services.
“Students do not need to meet certain income requirements or provide pay stubs to access the pantry. It is as simple as being a currently enrolled student.”
The RCSJ–Cumberland behavioral services director divulged that the CFW does more than supply food for students. “We have recently added personal hygiene products and household cleaning items which can quickly add up on your shopping trip,” she said.
Palese and Aparicio-Pagan echoed the gratitude expressed by Keating and Piccone regarding the support provided by Inspira Health and the RCF.
“It’s evident Inspira Health believes in closing the gap on food insecurity in our communities, so this is an easy and important effort made to help stock our pantries on both the Cumberland and Gloucester campuses,” Palese said. “Their $10,000 allocation of funding is only a part of why we make such a great partnership. Together, we are making a difference in and out of the classroom.”
“The goal is to always support our students and help to alleviate some of their everyday stressors,” Aparicio-Pagan added. “These funds will allow the center to purchase basic needs and food items for students, so they can focus on their academics and successfully graduate with one less worry.”
For more information about Rowan College of South Jersey’s Center for Wellness and Support, visit RCSJ.edu/CWS. For information about the Rowan College Foundation, visit RCSJ.edu/Foundation.
