Community members, students, faculty, and staff were invited to lace up their sneakers on Sunday, March 28 to run and walk in support of the NVCC Student Food Pantry. The 4th annual Run/Walk was a virtual event. Supporters ran or walked on their own to support the cause.  

The proceeds from the race went towards keeping the pantry stocked in the coming months. Participants who supported our virtual run enthusistically posted pictures and their “finishing” times. Although virtual,  the event still managed to raise over $3,700.00 for the NVCC Food Pantry.

Associate Dean Chapman commented, “We are sincerely grateful for the ongoing support of the NVCC community at large in helping to make this event a continued success for our students in need. This event has raised thousands of dollars over the last three years and these dollars have made it possible for the Student Food Pantry to respond to the critical needs of our students, especially during these challenging times.” 

The Waterbury campus pantry, which opened three years ago, is staffed by one AmeriCorps Vista Worker as well as several student workers.  The NVCC Student Food Pantry currently offers a “grab and go” service where students may grab a quick snack or meal, such as a granola bar, individual-serving sizes of macaroni and cheese, ramen noodles, soups, or pasta. The pantry also offers grocery service, allowing students in need to pick up 20 items per month. During the spring of 2020, when students were quarantined and began taking classes remotely, the NVCC Student Food Pantry continued to support students in need and shipped over 300 grocery packages directly to student’s homes. In the fall of 2020, the Student Food Pantry re-opened on campus by appointment only to keep our students and staff safe; the pantry distributed 4,565 pounds of food from September to December. 

For the spring 2021 semester, the NVCC Student Pantry reactivated the home delivery grocery program and implemented a new program in collaboration with the NVCC Hospitality Program to continue to serve students experiencing food insecurity.    

Since March 25, 2021, the NVCC Danbury Student Food Pantry has provided snacks for students every Wednesday at the Danbury Campus.  Students may choose two items including granola bars, fruit cups, or items that are microwaveable for when they get home. The Danbury Pantry also provides students with frozen chili made by NVCC Hospitality students to take home as a part of the collaboration with NVCC Hospitality program.