WORCESTER – Clark University and Jeremiah’s Inn announced a partnership on Monday to combat food insecurity both on campus and in the Main South neighborhood.
Jeremiah’s Inn provides emergency food assistance to individuals and families at 1059 Main St. It also operates programs for individuals with substance abuse disorder, including recovery residence and residential treatment programs, and a substance abuse hotline.
The agreement enables Clark and Jeremiah’s Inn to collaborate on strategy to support food insecurity among Clark students. With financial support from Clark, Jeremiah’s Inn will fill the food pantry needs of Clark students. The partnership will also create a pipeline of student job opportunities working within the operations of Jeremiah’s Inn.
Kamala Kiem, associate provost for student success and dean of students at Clark, said the partnership was pursued at the insistence of the student-led organization FIRM (Food Insecurity Resistance Movement), which challenged the University to find a sustainable pathway for easing food insecurity both at Clark and in the Main South neighborhood.
“FIRM elevated the issue of food insecurity in an assertive, grassroots way, and rightfully held us accountable to do more for our students,” Kiem said. “Through this terrific partnership with Jeremiah’s Inn and our students, we’re able to deliver a more sustainable food program in a systemic way that speaks to what we do best at Clark: Take on a real-world problem and work to find a solution.’
