Starting this fall, students at all Austin Community College campuses can access food and personal care items at Riverbat Bites Food Pantry.

Zooming in

The college announced in an email that it would be opening food pantries on its campuses to “make sure students have what they need to stay focused and succeed.”

Pantries will be stocked with healthy groceries, snacks and hygiene products which students can access free of charge.

Put in perspective


The college stated it serves more than 74,000 students per year, with over 60% of them classifying as low-income. A survey conducted by ACC showed 48% students are food insecure and 51% didn’t know food pantries were available on campus.

Cara Crowley, ACC special advisor to the chancellor for basic need systems, stated in the email release that meeting basic student needs is essential to helping them persist and transform their lives.

“This is about more than food. It’s about opening doors for students, supporting their families, and building a stronger, more resilient Central Texas," Crowley said.

Additionally, students will now be able to get support enrolling in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program if they are interested in receiving extra food support.