Help Fight Food Insecurities on Campus – Donate to the QCC Food Pantry Fundraiser

Feeding those in need within the QCC community is the premise and mission of Quinsigamond Community College’s food pantry. An April 2018 study by the Wisconsin HOPE Lab found that 49 percent of QCC students had low to very low food security, prompting QCC to establish a food pantry to help combat hunger on campus. What began as a small operation in the summer, has ramped up this Fall. Today the food pantry is consistently feeding well over 150 students and the need to keep the pantry up and running is greater than ever.

Already the food pantry has become a staple at the college; however, the ability to keep it running effectively requires funding and staffing. To that end, the college is holding a fundraising crowdsourcing event beginning on November 13, geared to raising funds to help sustain the food pantry in the months to come.

“We found there is a real need for this food pantry and we want to ensure that we can fill this need now and in the future,” said QCC President Luis Pedraja. “We never want to turn away anyone in our QCC family who is hungry because we don’t have enough food. On November 13, we ask you to visit GiveCampus.com and help us reach our goal of $10,000, to help in our battle against food insecurity."

The food pantry has already outgrown its current location (Room 351A in the Administration Building on the college’s main campus at 670 West Boylston Street, Worcester) due to its growing demand. In the next couple of weeks the pantry will be moving to a new location in Room B63 of the Administration Building. The new location will house the food pantry, as well as an area where there will be additional resources available for students.

While the college is looking for monetary donations in its upcoming drive, food donations of non-perishable food items are also always welcomed and accepted. Donations may be dropped off in the donation box outside of the food pantry (Room351A).

Items in high demand include:

• Cans of tuna
• Cans of chicken
• Spaghetti sauce
• Peanut Butter
• Rice
• Pasta
• Macaroni and cheese
• Cans of ravioli/ spaghettios
• Boxes of cereal
• Instant oatmeal (individual packets)

The Food Pantry is open during the Fall 2018 semester on: Monday 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Tuesday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Wednesday 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Thursday 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., and Fridays 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. For questions, email foodpantry [at] qcc.mass.edu  .