New Gator Mart to provide BC students with groceries

Brazosport College and the Houston Food Bank are teaming up to help students lower their financial burdens while enrolled in college.

With the newly created Gator Mart, Brazosport College students will be eligible to receive up to 60 pounds of healthy food twice a month through food scholarships. Available food will include produce, dairy, meat and non-perishables.

This program is designed to lower the financial stress of household grocery costs while students are working toward an education at Brazosport College.

“Over 15 percent of individuals in the state of Texas face food insecurity, which is higher than the national average,” said Kelli Forde Spiers, BC Office of Student Life Director. “The goal of this collaboration between Brazosport College and the Houston Food Bank is to reduce food insecurity for our students, ultimately enhancing their academic and career success.”

In addition to Gator Mart, the College will also be opening the BC Clothing Closet, which will offer free professional or business casual clothing to students that can be used for job interviews or any other situation that requires more professional attire.

Brazosport College will host the grand opening of the Gator Mart and Clothing Closet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5 in room HS-102 of the Byron & Sandra Sadler Health Professions/Science Complex at Brazosport College. The event will feature remarks from Brazosport College and Houston Food Bank representatives at 12:30 p.m. Refreshments will also be served.

To be eligible to shop at the Gator Mart or the Clothing Closet, students must be currently enrolled in courses at Brazosport College. Gator Mart will be open on Tuesdays (11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.), Wednesdays (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and Thursdays (9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.).

For more information about the BC Gator Mart, the Clothing Closet or the program’s grand opening on Nov. 5, call (979) 230-3412 or email student.life@brazosport.edu.