PIQUA – National research supports the idea that if students are hungry, they’re not able to focus in the classroom. That’s why Edison State Community College has joined the nationwide movement to provide a food source to support students who may be distracted from studies by hunger.

“In our daily interactions with students, we know how many responsibilities they’re juggling and that money can be tight for many of them,” said Jessica Chambers, dean of student affairs at Edison State.

A new food cabinet on campus, dubbed the “Charger Station,” has been stocked with snack items for students to grab a quick bite to eat on their way to class or pick up ingredients for a meal later.

“It might not be all the time that students need access to the Charger Station, but life happens, so we want to give them an opportunity to have something to eat so they can focus on their education,” Chambers said.

Cabinets are currently stocked with such snack items as cereal, cookies, granola bars, chips, tuna snack packs, nuts, fruit and crackers; and canned and boxed items such as pasta, pasta sauce, vegetables, macaroni and cheese and ready-to-eat soup. Plans to expand offerings are dependent upon student needs. The food is free for the taking, and students may help themselves during regular hours of operation.

“We look for all the different ways that we might be able to help and support students while they’re here, and this was just one way for the whole college community to contribute and get involved,” Chambers said.

The cabinets have already been set up at Edison State’s Piqua and Greenville campuses with plans to add a cabinet at the Eaton Campus in the near future.

“The Charger Station has been well-received in its first week. Moving forward we want to take an approach to ensure this initiative is sustainable to give our students the best opportunity for success,” Chambers said. “We also want to hear from students about any other needs they may have. It’s all about helping them to succeed.”

The Charger Station is operating solely on donations.

For information on how to donate items and a list of ideas to donate to the Charger Station, call Velina Bogart, success adviser at Edison State, at 937-778-7854.