SEATTLE — This holiday season, South Seattle College's Georgetown campus is asking for donations to keep its food pantry stocked.
The pantry helps feed students and their families.
“Groceries add up. It's important to be able to afford that so you can succeed,” said Lilly Long, who utilized the food pantry during her time in the pre-apprenticeship program she was enrolled in this fall.
She's grateful the South Seattle College Georgetown campus is providing access to a food pantry for her and other students.
"To be able to worry about one less thing is amazing. It's a privilege," said Long.
The pantry is located in the heart of campus, which is the largest college registered apprenticeship training location in the state. The pantry opened in August 2023 after students requested it. It was originally open once a week but has since expanded up to three times a week.
The school partners with local nonprofits to offer free food to its students and their families. Which is essential considering pre-apprenticeship programs are unpaid. While apprenticeship programs offer nominal pay depending on the trade, on top of going to class.
"Especially now, with today's economy,” said Long. “They can't afford food, basic things have gone up double in price maybe."
As the bare shelves at the food pantry showed Wednesday, demand is high. In its first year, the pantry served an average of more than 250 students every week with most of them returning.
Staff are pleading with the community to donate.
"We feel like we're fighting for resources and so this is a time community should come together and really support their students," said Hanan Gumale, who manages the food pantry on campus.
South Seattle College hosts a year-round food drive you can donate to, at its Georgetown campus and its West Seattle campus.
How to help
Click here to donate online through Northwest Harvest between now and the end of the year.
Through Dec. 31, donate $5, $10 or $12 towards grocery cards at your local Safeway store.