Students at the City Colleges of Chicago will soon be able to get more than an education and future career contacts on campus.
They'll find it easier to get food assistance.
City Colleges and the Greater Chicago Food Depository have worked together for several years to offer pantries and other food assistance for students.
Kennedy-King College student government leader Mo'hogney Mitchell said the pantry there is a great resource, but it has limits.
"It isn't open every day. And I've seen lines wrapped around the hall when it is open, because so many students are in need," Mitchell said during this week's launch of "Food Security For Life" on the Kennedy-King campus, 6301 S. Halsted.
Kate Maehr from the Greater Chicago Food Depository said she was driven to do more after learning that as many as 50% of City Colleges students may not know where their next meal is coming from.
"I felt the injustice, but I also felt the imperative," Maehr said.
So the City Colleges are rolling out a new initiative offering take-home meals, snacks and markets for students ... free of charge, thanks to donations.
The program will also offer connections for other social service programs, including SNAP benefits.
The first expanded market opens in January at Kennedy-King.