Two Flagler County community organizations have joined forces to help college students who are struggling to afford food. The Palm Coast Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Flagler County spent April and May collecting non-perishable food items and monetary donations for the Falcon Fuel food pantry, located at Daytona State College’s Flagler/Palm Coast Campus. By the end of May, the drive had collected enough food and funding to keep the pantry stocked through the upcoming fall semester.
The Falcon Fuel pantry operates through the college’s Falcon HOPE Center, which provides support services to students in need. According to Campus Director Dr. James Marindino, the pantry exists because many students are juggling more than just their coursework. “Access to basic needs like food plays a critical role in helping students stay focused and complete their education,” said Marindino. He noted that the students who rely on Falcon Fuel are often managing a combination of classes, jobs, family obligations, and the pressure of rising living costs all at the same time.
Marindino emphasized that addressing hunger directly impacts a student’s ability to succeed academically. “By reducing food insecurity, programs like Falcon Fuel remove a significant barrier to success, and our shared goal is to assist as many students as possible each semester,” he said. The collaboration between the two civic clubs reflects a broader effort by local organizations to extend their community impact beyond traditional service projects and into direct support for higher education students in Flagler County.
The post Local Clubs Team Up to Keep College Students Fed Through the Fall first appeared on Flagler County Buzz.
