INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Ivy Tech Community College is opening a food pantry for students.

The food pantry opens this month in Ivy Tech's Illinois Fall Creek Center in Indianapolis. It will supply canned vegetables, pasta, paper goods and baby items to any student in need.

Twenty-nine-year-old Lillie Beasley, vice president of Ivy Tech's student government and a pantry volunteer, tells The Indianapolis Star (http://indy.st/1AfyH45) that students can't focus on school if they're hungry.

Ivy Tech students are generally older than other college students and many divide their time and money between school, families and work. More than half qualify for federal financial aid for low-income students.

The new food pantry will be called Bear Necessities after the school's mascot. The pantry is scheduled to open Sept. 15.