Junior League, alumni help fund student support pantry

ribbon cutting
Ari Hatcher, Debbie LAwson Davis, Dr. Whitney McDowell-Robinson, Dr. David Barnett, Ashley Davis, and Matt Thomas cut the ribbon on the student supply pantry.

A student support pantry opened last week on Brenau’s historic Gainesville campus, allowing students who need shelf-stable food, personal hygiene products and basic school supplies an opportunity to receive them for free.

The Davises and two students

The Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County, including Sustainer Director Debbie Lawson Davis, WC ’80, and her daughter-in-law and league president, Ashley Davis, and Vice President of Student Development and Engagement Whitney McDowell-Robinson, Ph. D., participated in the creation of the pantry.

Debbie Lawson Davis is a longtime supporter of Brenau, including serving on the Advisory Board for the School of Business. Both she and Ashley Davis work as officers for the family business at Lawson Air Conditioning and Plumbing.

McDowell-Robinson is the chair of the “Done in a Day” Project Committee for the league. This is the first project for the committee.

“Currently enrolled Brenau University students are eligible to receive pantry items at no cost,” McDowell-Robinson said. “Many thanks to The Kroger Family of Companies and the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County for their monetary donations to support our students.”

The Student Support Pantry, which is staffed by student workers, is located in Owens Student Center and operates from 2-4 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.