PRESS RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 18, 2026

SJR State, Baptist Health collaborate to fight student food insecurity 

For approximately 19% of local community college students, earning an education means balancing rigorous coursework with significant personal challenges. Studies show that many students navigate temporary financial hardships, making reliable access to basic necessities, including nutritious food, a daily struggle.

"The costs of tuition, books, housing, transportation, and other basic living expenses often leave little money for groceries, forcing students to skip meals or rely on inexpensive, less nutritious options,” said Chelsea West, student support ombuds at St. Johns River State College. “When basic nutritional needs are unmet, focusing in class, maintaining academic progress, and remaining enrolled become immense hurdles.”

Thanks to a strategic investment from Baptist Health, SJR State will expand its campus food pantry program and help ensure that students won’t have to choose between their education and their next meal.

According to West, the investment will enhance food pantry infrastructure at the College’s Orange Park and St. Augustine campuses creating a more sustainable, accessible, and nutritious resource. “This initiative addresses immediate hunger while building long-term capacity to support students throughout their academic journeys,” West said.

The upgraded pantry program will provide fresh, balanced food options in a supportive, dignity-centered environment, reinforcing SJR State’s commitment to holistic student well-being and success. The investment also reflects Baptist Health’s commitment to advancing community health and addressing identified community health needs across Northeast Florida.

In addition, a food credit from Feeding Northeast Florida, an online purchasing program, will allow the College to obtain nutritious food items that may not always be available through traditional food donation channels.

“Every student deserves the opportunity to focus on their education without worrying about where their next meal will come from,” said Katie Ensign, vice president of Community Impact for Baptist Health. “We’re proud to support SJR State in expanding access to nutritious food and helping students succeed both in and out of the classroom.”

West said news of the strategic investment funding was deeply encouraging. “We spend so much time thinking about how we can do more for our students. It means so much to know that Baptist Health believes in our students and our mission as strongly as we do,” West said.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to turn ideas into reality and offer students more support, more resources, and more options than we could have ever hoped for. We truly cannot thank Baptist Health enough for their generosity.”