The Caring Corner food pantry at Greenville Technical College was rededicated to Laurie Pufpaff, the beloved nursing instructor who established the pantry in 2014 before her untimely death. Laurie noted that hunger kept students from performing their best, so she collected canned goods and other donations to assist them, assembling the items in a small closet.
From her effort, Caring Corner has grown significantly along with the need that led to its founding. Today, 39% of students report being food insecure, and 46% are experiencing housing insecurity. Caring Corner is part of the college’s STAR Center, where students can obtain grocery and personal care items, get bus passes and gas cards if transportation is holding them back, find emergency assistance for unexpected expenses, and receive referrals for housing resources.
The STAR Center has moved over the years from a small closet in a classroom building at the edge of campus to a central location in the Student Center. This makes assistance visible and accessible for those who need help. Thanks to a system of Amazon-style lockers, students at all campuses can access the help they need.
The rededication gathering was planned and executed by students in the college’s Marketing program who are enrolled in an Event Planning class. Through this real-world opportunity, they gained hands-on experience while raising the visibility of a much-needed resource. Earlier in the day, the same group of students held a Pack the Pantry event that stocked the shelves of Caring Corner.
"We are honored to carry out Laurie Pufpaff's vision and her legacy of caring for students,” said Gina Bridges, director of the STAR Center.