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Between classes, part-time jobs and caring for families, many Dallas College students face an invisible struggle that has nothing to do with passing exams. They're trying to figure out where their next meal will come from.
Starting Feb. 2, Metrocrest Services will bring its mobile food pantry to the Brookhaven campus once a month, delivering fresh fruits, vegetables, milk and cheese. The mobile unit will be stationed in front of the J Building from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 2, March 2, April 6 and May 4.
For years, Metrocrest has supported Dallas College through workforce development, helping students prepare resumes and practice interview skills. Cason McMahan, director of nutrition programs at Metrocrest Services, saw an opportunity to expand that collaboration.
Stephanie Harris, dean of basic needs and student care at Dallas College, welcomed the initiative.
"So frequently our clients, our students, our neighbors, they're all the same person," Harris said. "Being able to have more manpower and to subsidize where we need some support is a testament to community as well as really helpful to the community."
The mobile pantry will provide perishable items that the existing J Building pantry struggles to maintain long-term.
"What we would be providing would be mostly fresh fruits and vegetables," McMahan said.
College hunger often catches people off guard. Brandon Boling, community impact senior specialist at North Texas Food Bank, said the problem extends beyond what most expect.
"We found out that over 59 percent of college students will face food insecurity at some point in their college career," Boling said.
In 2020 alone, approximately 23 percent of college students nationwide experienced food insecurity, according to federal data.
At Brookhaven, which serves more than 13,000 students each semester across Farmers Branch, Carrollton, Addison and North Dallas, the need is substantial. North Texas Food Bank has partnered with the campus since 2018, providing food for the on-site pantry.
At Brookhaven alone, over 67,000 pounds have been distributed so far this fiscal year, serving 5,488 individuals including students, staff and community members. The broader Metrocrest area faces food insecurity rates around 15 percent.
The majority of community college students are nontraditional, juggling work, family responsibilities and education simultaneously.
"It's not just your 18-year-old fresh out of high school going to school anymore," Boling said. "The majority, about 70 percent, are nontraditional. It's grown adults going back to school. They're single parents. They're taking care of family members. They're working jobs and trying to go back to school."
Without dormitories or meal plans, students must navigate housing costs, utilities and groceries while pursuing their degrees. Research links food insecurity directly to lower GPAs, higher dropout rates and deteriorating mental health.
"College in and of itself is a strain on our bodies and our minds," she said. "And then, you're not getting nutrition, the basic thing that your body needs to run the most important muscle, which is our brain."
Fresh produce represents both a financial and health challenge.
"That's what's recommended for daily meals. Over half of your plate should be fruits and vegetables," Boling said. "But if that's the highest cost, people are not purchasing those items."
McMahan views the program as an entry point to Metrocrest's comprehensive services. Students who use campus pantry services maintain retention and graduation rates around 85 percent.
"It's trying to close the gap for some folks who might be overlooked when you're thinking about people who might be struggling," McMahan said.
North Texas Food Bank currently serves more people than during the COVID-19 pandemic. Across 12 counties, 744,000 neighbors experience food insecurity. Texas ranks as the nation's most food-insecure state.
The food bank partners with 500 organizations throughout the region.
"We're not really wanting to make our neighbors come to us," Boling said. "We really try to bring the food to our neighbors."
Community members can support North Texas Food Bank through donations, volunteering or advocacy. Every dollar donated provides three meals.
Harris emphasized the essential role partnerships play in addressing student hunger.
"It really takes a village to make things like this happen," she said.
Students can access the mobile pantry by completing a standard USDA registration form. Campus pantries remain open to students Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Community members can access services on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Metrocrest Services is also hosting a job fair Feb. 11 at its facility, where Dallas College will provide information about certificate programs and resume building support. Details are available at metrocrestservices.org
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