American Heart Association upgrading Benedict College’s student food pantry

American Heart Association logo

Photo: American Heart Association

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– In an effort to promote a heart healthy lifestyle, the American Heart Association announced it is upgrading the student pantry at Benedict College to ensure healthy food options are always accessible to the students.

The organization said the school’s food pantry will be equipped with commercial style display refrigerator units for cold options, including fresh fruits and vegetables, and more robust offerings of healthy grab and go snacks.

“The American Heart Association is excited to lead this initiative in the Columbia area,” said Crystal Kirkland, executive director of the American Heart Association, Midlands.

American Heart Association said it is working in the Midlands community to educate Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) students about the risk associated with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).

 “The area surrounding the college is considered a food desert, so it’s imperative that the students can conveniently access healthy food options to maintain the healthiest lifestyle possible,” continued Kirkland.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a heart condition that causes the walls of your heart to thicken.