The Lone Star College-Conroe Center opened a new food pantry Thursday to help provide relief for local residents affected by Hurricane Harvey.

The storeroom is the second food pantry created by the Lone Star College System and will work with the LSC Foundation as a nonprofit corporation. The pantry is a member agency with the Montgomery County Food Bank. The system's first pantry opened in 2015 at the LSC-Montgomery campus.

Officials said opening the pantry early will help serve Hurricane Harvey victims, and it will also address food insecurity among community college students. According to the Urban Institute, about 13 percent of community colleges are considered food insecure as of 2015, college officials said in a press release.

"We are excited about helping those who need it," said Jennifer Dodd, LSC-Conroe Center food pantry organizer. "The [pantry] is accessible to students since it is right on campus. We hope those who need help feel they can also bring friends to the service. We look forward to donations from the community and the hard work of volunteers to keep the food pantry running year-round."

College officials are asking for donations to help Hurricane Harvey victims, including cleaning supplies, baby supplies, hygiene items and canned or dry food. Monetary donations are also accepted by the MCFB on behalf of the food pantry. Volunteer opportunities are also available.

Donations can be dropped off at the LSC-Conroe Center, located at 777 Conroe Park North Drive, Conroe, in room 107.