Most days, Mo’hogney Mitchell spends nearly all day at Kennedy-King College. Between classes, a long commute and her responsibilities as president of the Student Government Association, she rarely has time to leave campus for a meal. She also has a grandmother at home to think about.
The Statesman Market, a free on-campus food pantry supported by the Food Depository and City Colleges of Chicago, gives Mitchell a place to pick up groceries and snacks without having to leave campus or find room in an already tight budget for another meal.
“As someone who is here on campus from 8 to 5 almost every day, it means I won’t have to starve myself to get through my commute, classes, SGA meetings and more,” Mitchell said. “It means I can continue to bring home meals for myself and my grandma.”
For Mitchell, access to food is connected to something bigger: the opportunity to stay in school and build a future.
In a 2024 City Colleges basic-needs survey, 50% of students identified as food insecure. Many students are balancing school with jobs, caregiving responsibilities and other household expenses. Reliable access to food can help remove one barrier while students work toward their degrees and credentials.
“I don’t have to choose between learning and eating.”
– Mo’hogney Mitchell, Kennedy-King student and market guest
That connection is at the center of the Food Depository’s work to improve access to thriving wages and economic opportunity. In fiscal year 2026, the Food Depository expanded its partnership with City Colleges through Food Security for Life, a multi-layered initiative designed to help students meet their basic needs while pursuing education and career pathways.
Food Security for Life expands food access through enhanced on-campus markets, frozen meals and snack stations. The initiative also connects students to public benefits and includes paid apprenticeships at the Food Depository, giving City Colleges students an opportunity to earn income and gain hands-on experience while completing their studies.
The apprenticeship program launched during the 2025–2026 academic year with a cohort of five City Colleges students. The 12-month paid program provides hands-on experience, mentorship and career training, helping students build skills and connections that can lead to future employment.
For Jennifer Pigue, who completed her development apprenticeship while earning her business administration degree at Kennedy-King College, the opportunity came while she was balancing school, two jobs, becoming a first-time mother and helping care for her mother.
“I’ve experienced firsthand how challenging it can be to manage financial responsibilities and personal goals at the same time,” Pigue said. “This program has helped me see the importance of career development, financial stability and having access to resources that support working families.”
At Kennedy-King, the newly renovated Statesman Market is the first step in a broader expansion. The Food Depository and City Colleges plan to bring enhanced markets to all seven colleges, with the next market planned for Olive-Harvey College in Pullman.
Dr. Alison Rose, vice president and on-campus liaison at Kennedy-King, has seen what that investment means for students. “When you see the students walking out with their groceries, and you see how happy and how proud they are, you know it’s making an impact,” Rose said.
Beyond City Colleges, the Food Depository also partners with workforce development organizations to make volunteering a pathway to employment. For the past two holiday seasons, participants in North Lawndale Employment Network’s job readiness programs have completed their transitional job experience at the Food Depository. In this recurring volunteer role, participants receive role-specific training, check-ins with their career coaches, a mock interview with a Food Depository supervisor and an end-of-role performance evaluation. Those who are a good fit are encouraged to apply for open positions at the Food Depository.
North Lawndale Employment Network also brings participants to the Food Depository each month for group repack sessions, where they can build their resumes and professional networks through service.
Together, these efforts connect food access with opportunities to learn, earn income, gain experience and participate in the local economy.
For Mitchell, the impact extends beyond her own meals. The groceries she picks up at Statesman Market help her bring food home to the grandmother who raised her. “It means I don’t have to choose between learning and eating,” she said.
