News Releases

Perrysburg Rotary Awards Grant Helping Owens Students in Need

A Fall 2023 survey concluded more than one-quarter of Owens Community College students ran out of money six or more times last year while nearly half of the students reported being food insecure.

Those stark numbers make the work of the college’s Center for Campus and Community Connections so vital to the success of our students.

In June, Owens received a $1,000 grant from the Perrysburg Rotary Club for the Center, with $250 allocated to the Harvest Food Pantry and Garden, $250 going to purchase laundry detergent and hygiene products and $500 going into the Emergency Fund.

“Every single one of those dollars is going directly into a resource for a student,” said Krista Kiessling, director of Campus and Community Connections. “If that’s a box of laundry detergent that is a student’s dealbreaker that week, we’re able to stabilize that family.

“We want to keep sending the message that if you’re struggling, we’re here, we care, and we want to help make sure you’re accessing everything you can to succeed at Owens.”

The food pantry, located in College Hall on the Toledo-area Campus and in Room 115DD in the Education Center on the Findlay-area Campus, opened in 2012 as the first pantry located at a college or university in Ohio. It provides free food resources and personal hygiene items to Owens students while classes are in session.

“Non-perishable food items are pretty easy for us to get our hands on, but cleaning supplies, hygiene items, laundry soap, that can be a little more difficult,” Kiessling said. “For us to have this money to reach out to a wholesale provider and purchase that for our students is tremendously helpful.”

Additionally, the Center operates a Career Closest and Free Store in College Hall. Students can acquire clothing items for interviews, job fairs or class presentations.

The Student Emergency Assistance Fund is housed in the Owens Foundation and gives students an opportunity to offset unforeseen expenses, such as vehicle repairs, rent increase or overdue utility bills. The application is online, and students can apply for up to $500 annually.

Kiessling said the Center will connect students with outside resources and social services as well.

“Our Center is kind of like the social service hub for campus,” Kiessling said. “We build relationships with the students so they know they can come forward before all heck breaks loose.”

The Center for Campus and Community Connections is located in College Hall 151. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. by appointment. The department’s resources are available to students on both Owens campus locations.

For more information, visit owens.edu/connection.