Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC) hosted the United Way’s annual Stock the Pantry weigh-in at the Founders Hall Parking lot on June 21 where more than 26,000 pounds of food was donated. NVCC’s Development Office led the initiative with support from facilities and the entire college community.  Joann Reynolds-Balanda, Vice President of Community Impact for the United Way of Greater Waterbury, thanked NVCC for such a successful event. “The faculty and staff at NVCC were absolutely wonderful! They were helpful and very supportive of our needs. ”

Local residents and community organizations drove into the Founders Hall Parking lot with cars and trucks overflowing with food that the volunteers loaded onto two trucks for the Connecticut Food Bank in an assembly-line fashion. Volunteers included NVCC alumni, students, staff, and faculty; members of the community, members of the Waterbury Fire Department, and members of the United Way including incoming 2018-2019 Campaign Chair Grant Copeland, a President and Chief Creative Officer of the Worx Group.

All donated food helped to supply greater-Waterbury food pantries throughout the summer months when students are not receiving lunch free or at a reduced cost through school lunch programs. NVCC has been working in partnership with the United Way for years to support community initiatives like this.

Fun, food, and sportsmanship made light of the work on a hot first day of summer. The event featured a cookout, music, and singing.

NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D., praised the generous participants of this event. “This powerful event continues to show the impact of working together in Waterbury to support those in need.”