Food Pantries at NCC

About Our Pantries

After learning that many students were often going hungry as they struggled to make ends meet, members of NCC’s Nursing Student Organization (NSO) worked over a year to establish an initial food pantry on Bethlehem Campus. The doors of the Helping Our Peers Excel (H.O.P.E.) Food Pantry first opened for students in fall 2016 at the Bethlehem Campus. Soon after, the Compassionate Aid and Resources for Everyone (C.A.R.E.) Food Pantry opened in 2018 for students at NCC’s Monroe Campus. Coordinated by NCC’s Dental Hygiene Student Organization, the Providing Everyone A Chance to Excel (P.E.A.C.E.) Food Pantry opened in 2023 for students at NCC’s Fowler Family Southside Center.

Facts
Food insecurity is a problem even for students who are employed, participate in a campus meal plan, or seek other financial or material help. Students who struggle to eat, also struggle to focus, compete academically, and to graduate.

Help
Staffed by volunteers, the pantries provide non-perishable food items, and some wellness items, that are donated and gathered through NCC’s food drives. Second Harvest Food Bank provides additional support to the H.O.P.E. Food Pantry at Bethlehem, which is further distributed to the other campuses as well. Today, the pantries continue to help college students on their path to success!

Hope Pantry Donations

Fall 2023 Information

Bethlehem H.O.P.E. Pantry

Location:  Penn Hall Room 122-A

Fall Hours: Mondays 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, Thursdays 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Fridays 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm

H.O.P.E. Pantry Notes:

  • When school is closed, the pantry is closed.
  • To shop, please bring your student ID.
  • To make an alternative appointment, please email hopepantry@northampton.edu
  • If you would like to donate pantry items, they can be dropped off in the grocery carts located outside of Penn Hall 113.

H.O.P.E Pantry Contact: Ellen Scott, NSO and Pantry Faculty Advisor (Bethlehem),
Email:  escott1@northampton.edu

Monroe C.A.R.E. Pantry

Location:  KAPP Hall, Ground Floor Entryway (KAPP 10)

Fall Hours:  Mondays 9:30 am – 10:45 am & 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Tuesdays 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm, Wednesdays 9:30 am – 10:45 am & 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm, Thursdays 10:30 am – 11:00 am

C.A.R.E. Pantry Notes:  

  • When school is closed, the pantry is closed.
  • To shop, please bring your student ID.
  • If you would like to donate pantry items, they can be dropped off in the grocery carts located in KAPP lobby or Keystone Hall.

C.A.R.E. Pantry Contact:  Antoinette McCreary, NSO and Pantry Faculty Advisor (Monroe), Email:  amccreary@northampton.edu

Fowler P.E.A.C.E. Pantry

Location: Fowler Room 19

Fall Hours:  Typically, mid-day hours, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

P.E.A.C.E. Pantry Notes:

  • When school is closed, the pantry is closed.
  • To shop, please bring your student ID.
  • If you want to donate pantry items, they can be dropped off in the P.E.A.C.E. Pantry boxes by the elevators in the main lobby and on the third floor of Fowler.


P.E.A.C.E. Pantry Contact: Kate Karalunas, Pantry Faculty Advisor (Fowler). Email:  kkaralunas@northampton.edu

Hope Pantry students

Volunteer at the Pantries

We could always use your help! Please contact the faculty advisors listed above at the site you would like to volunteer! Thank you for volunteering for a great cause!

Hope Pantry Stock

What Does the Pantry Need?

The Food Pantry includes non-perishables, some frozen foods (contact sites to see if they participate with frozen food donations) and limited toiletries. Because we often do not have enough, patrons are encouraged to bring their own bag (re-usable is best for future visits). H.O.P.E., C.A.R.E. and P.E.A.C.E. accepts any non-perishables, especially dry goods, and the pantry always welcomes gift cards to local grocery stores or pharmacies because when stocks get low, we can purchase what students need or give directly to the student for their needs.

Food Pantry Monroe Campus

Pantry Goals

  1. Provide a sustainable student run Food Pantry at Northampton Community College
  2. Have a positive impact on overall program completion rates
  3. Provide short-term assistance to encourage and foster long-term independence through education
20%
of NCC students go hungry on a regular basis
53%
Of students from 4-year and 2-year institutions that are food insecure, say this problem caused them to miss class
25%
Report dropping a class as an effect of this

Testimonials

"I would never want someone to have to choose between hunger and their future. As a volunteer, there is no better feeling than knowing the work we do might eliminate that decision for our fellow students." 
- Breanna Donate, Student Pantry Coordinator   

"Working at the food pantry is a great opportunity to help other students. It's really something that makes me feel good, knowing that I can help someone else. I wouldn't be where I am today without help and support, why not pass that on to others that may need it also."
- Amanda Cardona, Assistant Student Coordinator

"Nursing, as a science and an art, supports the importance of nutrition in maintaining health, self-sufficiency, and quality of life. The Food Pantry not only provides a meal for the student in need, it helps to ensure hunger is not a barrier inhibiting academic success." ·
- Andrea Corrado, NSO & Pantry Faculty Advisor         

"This student-initiative progressed over a few years from initial concept to its success today. As an advisor, I hold immense pride for the students who have made this happen. As a nurse, I've touched lives and healed individuals. Helping even one student to graduate is also deeply gratifying. Together our passion for the NCC food pantry will assure it is maintained, improved and available for our community."
-Mary Vogl, NSO & Pantry Faculty Advisor   

"As a student paying my way, C.A.R.E. has been invaluable. It is a tremendous service and run by great, caring people. Thanks again!"
- NCC Student

"It (the pantry) helps students who need to feed their families, and it also helps people financially so they can focus on school and study."
- NCC Student

"This is a great benefit that helps students and families have food on the table."
- NCC Student

NCC Food Pantries are a member of the College and University Food Bank Alliance.