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DECATUR, Ill.-- and members of the Decatur community gathered on Friday afternoon, Oct. 31, 2025, to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of the , a new on-campus nutrition resource created to support ̽������ students facing food insecurity.

Located in New Hall 2, the ̽������ Market offers free access to groceries, fresh produce, and household essentials for students, staff, and faculty not enrolled in ̽������’s All Access Meal Plan. The project was developed under the leadership of Vice President for Athletics and Community Engagement Lori Kerans, whose passion for serving students sparked the Market’s creation after she personally witnessed students struggling to find food.

“What began as two hungry students knocking on a door has grown into a campus-wide mission of compassion,” Kerans said. “Thanks to incredible community partnerships and volunteer support, we’ve created a sustainable resource that ensures every ̽������ student has access to nutritious food and the dignity that comes with it.”

During the ceremony, ̽������ University President Dr. Dean Pribbenow praised the Market as a reflection of ̽������’s enduring commitment to care for its community.

“University life presents many challenges, but hunger should never be one of them,” he said. “The ̽������ Market removes barriers to nutrition and well-being while strengthening our sense of community. This effort represents what happens when good people come together around a shared purpose.”

The Market expands upon the work of the former Big Blue Pantry, which for years provided food to students in need. Today, the initiative has grown into a collaborative partnership involving , , , , , and , all of whom have provided essential equipment, food supplies, and logistical support.

Angel Lawrence, Executive Director of the Northeast Community Fund, spoke at the event and highlighted the power of collaboration.

“This partnership with ̽������ University represents more than a shared space – it represents a shared purpose,” Lawrence said. “Together, we’re breaking barriers and building bridges from the classroom to the community, from need to nourishment, from generosity to growth.”

Mirinda Rothrock ’04, President of the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce and a ̽������ alumna, commended the initiative’s impact. 

“The ̽������ Market is a wonderful example of how a campus and its surrounding community can unite to make a meaningful difference,” she said. “It stands as a symbol of compassion, collaboration, and the shared commitment to student success that defines both ̽������ University and the greater Decatur community.”

Joining the ribbon-cutting were key project partners, including Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe, ̽������ Vice President for Admission and Student Affairs Molly Berry, Big Blue Pantry founder Marty Brilley, Northeast Community Fund leaders Angel Lawrence and Sharon Bunch, and Pribbenow.

Following the ceremony, attendees toured the Market, where shelves were stocked with fresh produce, frozen meals, dairy products, and household items. A “Grab & Go” station provides daily access to quick snacks and meals, while the main Market operates twice a week – on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Donations and volunteers fully support the Market’s operations. Community members help with stocking, inventory, and distribution, while local organizations deliver perishable items twice a week to ensure consistent access to fresh food.

“What’s remarkable is that almost everything you see inside the Market has been donated,” Kerans said. “From the refrigerators to the freezers to the food on the shelves – this space exists because of people who care deeply about ̽������ students.”

At its core, the ̽������ Market embodies the University’s mission to meet students where they are and empower them to thrive – academically, socially, and personally.

“No student should ever have to choose between their education and their next meal,” Kerans added. “At ̽������, we’ll make sure they don’t have to.”