Grant provides for Monroe students
Mia Rossi,
The Northampton Community College (NCC) Monroe Campus C.A.R.E. Food Pantry received a $5,000 donation from the Pocono Mountains United Way's Crisis Response Fund to purchase 100, $50 grocery store gift cards for food insecure students.
“The Monroe Campus has seen a rising need on campus. Many students have lost their jobs or had their work hours reduced. Even those still employed are experiencing increased food insecurity. More than a quarter (27%) of NCC students reported having dependent children, and with schools moving online and access to free breakfast and lunch programs reduced or eliminated, all meals must now be provided at home,” says Grants Director, Tracey Johnson, who submitted the application for food pantry assistance on behalf of the NCC Foundation.
In 2018, NCC’s Monroe Campus Nursing Student Organization (NSO) found that many of their fellow students were going hungry on a regular basis as they struggled to make ends meet. As nursing students, they understood students who struggle to eat, also struggle to focus, compete academically, and graduate. That’s when the C.A.R.E. pantry was established.
This year, due to COVID-19, there have been less food donations from individuals, and large planned fundraisers could not take place. The pantry has been sustained through direct donations from faculty, staff and community members as well as small food drives held during the year.
So far this semester, the pantry held drive-thru food and milk pick-up on September 28 and October 7 at the former bus stop by Pocono Hall. Lehigh Valley Dairies generously donated the milk distributed on campus. Future dates will be posted here. All volunteers and patrons must wear a mask and social distance per CDC guidelines. To pick up during drive thru hours, students must have their NCC ID.
Please email alyssa.hoopman@student.northampton.edu with any questions about C.A.R.E. Pantry drive-thru distributions.