COLD WEATHER RESOURCES AT MHCC

Winter is coming, and with it, the chilly winds and longer nights. As the temperature drops, we must ensure our students have what they need to thrive both academically and personally.

Mt. Hood Community College has always been more than just a place of learning; we now provide essential resources like food and clothing to support students in need. Many families face financial challenges that make it difficult to provide the necessities for their children. We recognize that dining options on campus, such as the CFE and Vista Dining, can be costly, and not everyone can afford a four-dollar slice of pizza.

The school understands this, which is why the Student Union office exists. There, you can always find a free hot drink – coffee, hot tea, or rich, hot cocoa. Various types of beverages, snacks, and canned items are also available. Occasionally, there are fresh fruits and vegetables, free for everyone.

If you need anything beyond that, there is Barnie’s Pantry. The pantry provides necessities and basic household items, including oil, flour, and other essentials. It also offers emergency blankets for winter, ensuring students have access to warm resources during this challenging season. Toiletries and household items are available. All you need to do is ask at the front desk or fill out a small form online on the Barnie’s Pantry section of the MHCC website. You can then come in and pick up your order with no questions asked beyond your name and household size. The pantry staff ask only for household size to keep track of the number of people who need these boxes (the more people served, the more funding the college can secure).

When talking to Steven Herff, Barnie’s Pantry coordinator, he could not stress enough the importance of getting these resources to our Mt. Hood students: “There is plenty of food on campus and plenty of food in this country; the trick is just getting it to the people who need it.”

Photo From Pixabay

One exciting new development is that the school is soon opening a small grocery store, where people can come in and shop for themselves without any staff assistance. There will be clothes available there as well.

The school will soon be starting a coat drive, so keep an eye out for details on how to participate and help those in need. Herff mentioned the Student Basic Needs Department and how it is more than happy to help with a wide range of resources.

From housing assistance to transportation support, the Basic Needs staff are dedicated to making sure students have what they need to succeed. They also provide valuable resources for women starting or returning to college, support for undocumented students, and help with transferring to four-year colleges or universities. Plus, they offer counseling and mental health support, along with childcare and family resources, ensuring that students have the support they need in all areas of their lives.

There’s no shame in seeking help when it comes to essentials like food and clothing – these campus resources are here to support those in need. What would be unfortunate is not using these valuable resources when they can make a difference in your life.

Mary Nashed