Health Foundation Gives $5,000 to Stock College Food Pantries

The ARH Foundation for Healthier Communities delivered a $5,000 check to the Southeast Kentucky Technical College campus in Whitesburg on November 21, 2025, to replenish food pantries serving students and local families. The donation will be allocated across all six SKCTC campuses as college officials work to respond to increased demand for emergency food assistance.

“You know, there’s all kinds of challenges in this world, and food is something that you shouldn’t have to worry about,” said Jamie Easterling, chief executive officer at ARH Whitesburg. Easterling said the foundation stepped in after learning about student needs and saw the gift as a natural extension of ARH efforts to reduce food disparities. “Because food disparities is such an important part of what we believe in and helping the communities and making the communities healthier, it was a perfect partnership to continue this relationship,” Easterling said.

SKCTC staff said campus food pantries have been available for years but experienced a surge in use during the recent government shutdown when benefits interruptions put added pressure on households. “As soon as the snap situation ramped up, you know, we got calls and text messages and different kinds of things like, hey, we need you. So, the students know to come to us,” said Tiffany Hampton, SKCTC development officer.

Hampton emphasized that the college’s support extends beyond academics to basic needs that affect retention and completion. “We don’t just look at the academic barriers. We look at the nonacademic barriers. So, are you struggling at home? Do you need help with your bills? Do you need help with food? Because you cannot succeed if you don’t have that taken care of ahead of time,” Hampton said. The college also operates its own pantry and distributes food boxes to residents in need, reflecting a broader local approach that blends public programs with private and institutional assistance.

For Perry County residents, the grant offers immediate relief and reinforces a longer term shift in higher education and community policy toward integrated student supports. As federal benefit disruptions and regional economic strains persist, small scale philanthropic contributions and campus based services will likely remain crucial to meeting basic needs while students pursue credentialing and workforce entry.