Mesa school's food bank aids needy students - Medical institute program helps them stretch dollars

Take a little. Give back what you can.

Students at the Mesa campus of the Pima Medical Institute receive extra help at the school's food bank as they work to complete their programs of study. They can take -- anonymously and without charge -- what they need to get by, such as nonperishable food, diapers and clothing.

Christopher Luebke, the campus director, said the food bank gives students an extra boost when they might otherwise give up.

"When people find themselves down and desperate, there's that little bit of light at the end of the tunnel," he said. "They say, 'I can make it.'"

Luebke's father founded Pima Medical Institute, which now encompasses nine campuses nationwide, including Mesa and Tucson. Nearly 800 students attend classes at the Mesa campus.

Most of the students receive some type of financial aid and about 10 percent use the food bank, Luebke said.

Linda Salter, a student services coordinator who oversees the food bank, said it's difficult for students to stay ahead financially as they try to improve their lives through education.

"The need occurs because most of our student are highrisk," she said.

"The food bank provides for them a supplement between paychecks."

Salter also said most students who use the food bank return later to bring in donations, after they have stabilized their lives.

The food bank is open all year to students, but school officials said it's visited more frequently during the holiday season.

Earlier this month, Pima Medical Institute announced the sale of its "Favorite Recipes" cookbook, composed of recipes from faculty and staff members. Proceeds are used to replenish the food bank.

School officials also ask students to bring in items for their classmates.

Djuna Williams' medical-assisting class produced the most donations on the campus this year. Williams' class of nine students stocked the food bank with more than 600 items.

Williams said she encouraged her students to round up donations by taking them to the food bank when the holiday traffic had depleted much of its stock.

"I took them in there and it was empty," Williams said. "That was motivation enough."

Elizabeth Gastuch, a 23-year-old student in Williams' class, said she enjoyed helping other students.

She had always been interested in medicine, she said, and had acted as a caretaker to her mother, who died last year.

"It's fun getting the stuff together," she said about donating.