LINK TO VIDEO COVERAGE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pQREpHJBx8
POPLARVILLE, Miss — Pearl River Community College’s administrators honored Carol Williams, retired long-time employee and founder of the college’s food pantry, by dedicating the building which houses “The Market” in her name.
The building formerly known as “The Station” will now be the “Carol Williams Station.” The “Carol Williams Station” houses both “The Market” a food pantry for students, faculty and staff experiencing food insecurity and the “Wildcat Career Closet,” a free student clothing closet.
“She’s been such a big part of our community, a big part of our campus and I think we’re all honored to have her name on this facility,” PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood said. “We are grateful for her continued service to the college.”
Williams started the process of implementing “The Market” on August 16th 2018 with an email to Dr. Breerwood asking permission to pursue the possibility of a food pantry on the Poplarville campus.
Four months, one email, and a lot of hard work later PRCC is the only community college in the state of Mississippi to be a registered member of the College and University Food Bank Alliance. This allows them to gain resources for funding and much more.
When “The Market” first opened in August of 2018, it served about 50 individuals each month. By December of 2019, it was serving about 300 students, faculty and staff per month.
“I don’t even know how to thank all the people that were instrumental in this taking place, it’s just quite an honor,” Williams said. “We have had administrators, faculty, staff, students and community members embrace this project to make it what it is today.”
Preceding the dedication, the Poplarville & Hancock Faculty and Staff Association and the Forrest County Faculty Association joined forces to hold a food drive at Ramey’s of Poplarville. The drive, which raised $110 on top of food donations, will benefit both the Poplarville campus’ Market and the Forrest County Center’s “Food Pantry 2.0.”
PRCC employees worked the food drive and offered buggies of one-dollar items for customers to purchase and donate to the cause.
“The Faculty and Staff Associations from Poplarville and Hattiesburg wants to thank the community for once again rallying around our college to support The Market, Wildcat Wishes food pantry and those with food insecurities on our campuses,” Poplarville & Hancock Faulty and Staff Association President Lonnie Burchell said.
All donations should be non-perishable food items. Those interested in making a donation to “The Market” should contact Eileen Hall at 601-403-1332. Those interested in donating to the Forrest County Center “Food Pantry 2.0” call 601-554-5505.
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats) and Facebook (@PRCCMKTG).
Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability. For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.
