Allen Community College provides many resources for students and one of those resources is called the Red Devil Pantry. Virginia Shaffer, who is one of the librarians at Allen Community College, and her former employee established the pantry in the spring of 2019 by themselves.

“It began as a way to help students who attend the Iola campus who are experiencing food insecurities,” said Shaffer.

The Red Devil Pantry provides easy access to students to retrieve food and supplies. Students can go online weekly to fill out a pantry order. A student can find the link on the Allen portal under the Student Life tab.

There are plenty of options that students can choose from the pantry. Students may order ten food items and two personal hygiene items per week. The pantry orders get filled on a first come first served basis, using the time that the order is placed to fill them.

The pantry can supply canned vegetables, canned fruits, canned soups, and canned meats (for example chicken and tuna). They also accept pasta sauce, pasta, rice, mac cheese, granola bars, peanut butter, cereal, shelf stable milk, and fruit cups. Personal hygiene items they accept include toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, and toilet paper. Allergies can and should be communicated before ordering.

The pantry is only open to Allen students that are attending the college on campus. Additionally, a student must be enrolled and taking a minimum of one 3-credit hour class.

The pantry also accepts donations of supplies, which can be dropped off at the Allen library. The donations that can be accepted are non-perishable, sealed, and not outdated items. Monetary donations can be made at the business office or tax-deductible donations can be made on the endowment gift page.

The pantry is a great opportunity to gain more amenities and food in your daily routine for college and it is a quicker access that can be very beneficial for you.