INA, Ill. (February 28, 2025) — The Rend Lake College Land of Lincoln AmeriCorps (LLA) program held a food drive in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for the National Day of Service. More than 30 LLA members collected over 5,000 non-perishable items along with health items from over 20 service sites for the RLC student food pantry.
"Last year, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, NFL Champion Anthony Hargrove came to campus to share that small acts of services can make a large impact on communities," said Dean Mandrell, Director of Land of Lincoln AmeriCorps. "This year, I wanted the AmeriCorps members to make a large impact on the RLC community by filling up the food pantry. They went above and beyond what was expected with the realization that they are serving a greater purpose outside of their own means."
The food pantry was constructed to help students with their food insecurities while they are in school through the R-L Cares program. The food pantry has been a service at RLC for several years and has seen increasing need by students each semester–in the past few weeks multiple students have requested access to the pantry.
The pantry is funded through donations and through a recent $3,000 grant awarded by Swipe out Hunger. With support from both inside and outside sources, the food pantry helps to address food insecurity and ensures all students have access to resources they need to thrive academically.
"We are very appreciative for the generous donations made by the AmeriCorps team," said Vickie Schulte, Dean of Student Success and Development. "The support has made an incredible impact, providing much needed resources to our students. Their efforts have truly shown the power of compassion and kindness, and we are ever so thankful for AmeriCorps commitment to helping us to fight hunger on campus."
Vickie Schulte (L) and Dean Mandrell (R) sorting items from the food drive
With an abundance of items collected, it was decided to spread the items across all RLC campuses.
"Students that are lower income or students that have food insecurities have a need for these items," said Mandrell. "We decided that dividing up the items with the other two smaller campuses [the MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon and Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus] would benefit the majority of our students."
LLA members have been enthused about having the chance to give back and support their community and peers through the food drive.
"Supporting the food pantry is essential for the RLC community," said student Nolan Armstrong (Mt. Vernon). "[The pantry] helps combat food insecurity among our students, while providing an opportunity for us to give back and make a meaningful impact."
"There are a lot of students including myself who can’t afford to have a good meal," said a LLA member from Mt. Vernon. "It’s important, especially for college students, to have a good meal and snacks throughout the day."
Use arrows to view LLA members collecting items
