Nonprofit regularly donates to TSTC’s food pantry in Marshall

(MARSHALL, Texas) - Patrick Johnson, founder of the nonprofit organization J-STAR Ministries, regularly contributes to the food pantry at Texas State Technical College's Marshall campus.

"He is by far the biggest donor to our food pantry; I usually leave with the back of my truck full of food," Lee Killingsworth, Advocacy and Resource Center coach for TSTC's Marshall campus, said. "His whole catchphrase is 'SOS: Save Our Students,' and he takes that seriously from kindergarten through college."

J-STAR Ministries (Johnson's Success Through Attitude and Respect Ministries) offers services in disaster relief, motivational speaking, behavioral management and food donations.

Johnson noticed that the college's food pantry was in need after his nephew began attending classes at the Marshall campus several years ago. He now donates food to the college about three times a month, sourcing it through donations from grocery stores and cash contributions or covering the costs himself.

"I believe there's always room for improvement and being able to provide and do more as we receive more resources and support," Johnson said.

Killingsworth said he hopes to return the favor in the future by having TSTC students participate in Johnson's outreach efforts.

"There's a lot of things that he does, like disaster relief and everything else, that I'd love for us to be able to help with," he said. "I think he can be a very good influence on our students, and I think we can find a way for them to help pay him back if it's nothing but labor. That would help the students grow as well."

Johnson hopes to continue strengthening J-STAR's relationship with TSTC.

"I think that TSTC is a class act and has a lot to offer," Johnson said.

Registration for TSTC's spring semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.