Coastal Bend Community Foundation Supports Izzy’s Food Pantry with 2021 Doan Grant
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Izzy’s Food Pantry at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is the recent benefactor of a generous grant from the Coastal Bend Community Foundation (CBCF). The $8,500 grant is part of the John and Augusta Doan Charitable Advised Fund and will help Islander students battle food insecurity by providing a hot meal program, by purchasing promotional items for outreach efforts, and finally, by restocking the pantry with nonperishable food and toiletry items.
Since 2017, Izzy’s Food Pantry has offered students a convenient site to obtain food assistance at no charge. This service makes certain that students who are food insecure meet their nutritional needs by allowing them to take up to 25 items a week from the pantry.
“Izzy’s Food Pantry is one way to help eliminate barriers that may pose an issue to overall student success,” Dr. Lisa Perez, TAMU-CC Assistant Vice President of Student Life, said.
Since 2019, CBCF has provided funding to assist with pantry operations that included the purchase of a freezer, refrigerator, nonperishable food items, and toiletries.
“Their generous support has been a blessing to so many students,” Perez said. “The TAMU-CC Division of Institutional Advancement has been so instrumental in cultivating the relationship with CBCF and ensuring that the food pantry is always a priority for grant opportunities.”
Even amid the pandemic and social distancing requirements, Izzy’s Food Pantry has continued to provide opportunities for students to have access to food through walk-up food bag giveaways, drive-thru food distribution events, and individual pantry appointments. Throughout spring 2021, there were more than 696 pantry visits with a total of 8,000 pounds of food distributed.
According to CBCF, their goal is to help assist students throughout their collegiate journey by supporting resources that prioritize academic success.
“The Coastal Bend Community Foundation is proud to support Izzy’s Food Pantry through the awarding of the Doan grant,” says Karen Selim, CBCF President and CEO. “With continued access to the pantry, students will be able to focus more on their academic studies and worry less about the expense for food and toiletries.”
Suzie Bazemore, TAMU-CC University Center Administrative Associate, says the additional funds have been a huge windfall.
“The grant from the Doan Fund has allowed us to purchase healthier food items along with the opportunity to provide more food options,” Bazemore, who oversees the pantry, said. “Shifting operations to appointment-only has also added an extra level of confidentiality and reassurance for the students utilizing the pantry.”
To make an appointment for the pantry, Islander students can call 361.825.FOOD (3663) or send an email to foodpantry@tamucc.edu. Izzy’s Food Pantry is in the University Center, second floor, room 204.
