Food Pantries

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 Pocono 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. Today, the pantries continue to help college students on their path to success!

Bethlehem H.O.P.E. Pantry

Location: Penn Hall Room 122-A

Hours: Tuesday - Thursday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

*Please remember that the pantry is closed during breaks and between semesters.

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 Contacts:

Michele Cohen, Assistant Professor, NSO and Faculty Advisor (Bethlehem)
Email: mcohen@northampton.edu

Pocono C.A.R.E. Pantry

Pocono C.A.R.E. Pantry is closed over the summer, beginning the week of May 12, 2025.

C.A.R.E. Pantry Contact:

Antoinette McCreary, NSO and Pantry Faculty Advisor (Pocono)
Email:  amccreary@northampton.edu

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

The Fowler Center P.E.A.C.E. pantry is also closed for summer; however, in emergencies, our security guard can let students in to grab what they need from the existing items in stock as the pantry will not be re-stocked until the fall.

P.E.A.C.E. Pantry Contact:

Kate Karalunas, Pantry Faculty Advisor (Fowler).
Email:  kkaralunas@northampton.edu

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!

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.

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