Preparations for the establishment of a Food Pantry on NVCC’s Waterbury campus have been underway for some time, but this month, the Pantry had its official ribbon-cutting on February 14. The pantry, which has food on the shelves, a refrigerator, and a freezer on the way is located in Ekstrom Hall in Room 308, a location that respects the privacy of the students who utilize it. The resource will be staffed by student workers and will be open various hours a day to help calculate peak periods in order to determine a more permanent schedule in the future.
The initial service available for the next month will be “grab and go,” where students may grab a quick snack or meal, such as a granola bar, and a warm item such as individual-serving sizes of macaroni and cheese, ramen noodles, soups, or pasta. A grocery area of the Pantry will open within the next month and allow students in need to pick up 20 items per month.
“Eventually we would like to start offering classes on nutritional cooking,” Leblanc said. “We have a lot planned. We’re very excited,” said NVCC Professor Kathy LeBlanc, one of the individuals responsible for establishing the Pantry.
NVCC faculty, staff, and students; members of the NVCC College Foundation; and community members gathered for Wednesday’s ribbon cutting including representatives from two of the Pantry’s generous donors, The Connecticut Community Foundation and Ion Bank.
“The opening of the Food Pantry represents a collective effort in support of our students,” said NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. “This is one of many initiatives being undertaken by NVCC to address students’ needs. I am very grateful for the leadership of Professor LeBlanc and the support of Associate Dean Angela Chapman in securing funds for the pantry from the Connecticut Community Foundation, Ion Bank and the College community.”
Also in the works is a Pantry Fund Raising Run/Walk to be held Sunday March 25 at 10 a.m. Beginning at Founders Hall on NVCC’s Waterbury campus, the race will start at 10 a.m. with a course allowing participants to do 1.55 miles (2.5 K) or the loop twice for a 5k. Participants can register online or in person at 9 a.m. on the day of the race. Leashed pets are welcome. Individuals or organizations who want to donate, may also do so without participating in the race by contacting Angela Chapman, Associate Dean of Development.