COMBATING HUNGER ON CAMPUS

Courtney Morin, Campus Compact AmeriCorps member serving

at Northern Essex Community College Haverhill & Lawrence, Massachusetts

“You have no idea how Situated within two major cities of the Merrimack Valley region, Northern Essex Community College (NECC) is recognized as the first
helpful this is.. I feel blessed,"
Hispanic Serving Institution in Massachusetts. With much of its population residing in Lawrence, MA where, according to the U.S. Census,
said Tiffany Bell, a nursing
student and mother of six,
21% of residents experience poverty, and with a mission to create a culture of inclusion and access to educational opportunity, NECC's food
speaking about the Monthly programs provide an opportunity for students to have at least one of their basic needs met, creating a smaller gap towards student success
Mobile Market and beyond.

ANTI-POVERTY IMPACT CHALLENGES

Access to the food programs for many students proved to be a barrier
NECC 2019 Despite weekly emails, promotion on social media, and outreach to professors, many
FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES
students were still unaware of the programs
THE PANTRY* Monthly Mobile Market HOPE LAB SURVEY RESULTS
50 % Restructured Mobile Market operations:
Provides up to 25 lbs of fresh produce from the Created a "drive-thru" style pick up to maintain social distancing
TOTAL # OF Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) 40 %

59 SHOPPERS 1500 LBS

DISTRIBUTED Once per month
Students weren't able to choose food items, instead we had to pre-bagged fresh
produce and distributed items evenly
30 %
The GBFB estimates 47% of community college Limited number of volunteers, but also had a hard time recruiting volunteers due
FOOD SECURITY students are food insecure 20 % to COVID-19 fears, lack of awareness of program, and remote learning
On the registration form, we ask Food Pantry on both campuses Restructured Pantry operations:
two basic food security questions Non-perishable items, primarily from the 10 %
By appointment only
Merrimack Valley Food Bank Pre-bagged items for students to pick up after filling out shopping for with most
0%

Feminine hygiene products Students who

common "in stock" items
Does paying for food Does using the pantry Students who Students who
Occasional perishable items like eggs, meat, experienced food indicated they
worry they will Could not utilize volunteers due
impact your studies,
classwork, and/or
86% help you worry less 51%
cheese, etc. insecurity in the cannot afford to
run out of food
before they have to small space THE FUTURE
about paying for past 30 days eat balanced
money to buy Limited donations
homework?
Once per week meals
more COVID-19 provided many challenges, but
ANSWERED YES food? ** ANSWERED YES from them, many opportunities to reorganize,
Provides up to 30 lbs or 2-3 bags of items
expand, and provide greater accessibility to
SUSTAINABILITY PLAN our programs arose. This includes:
CAPACITY BUILDING & PROCEDURES Continued piloting of delivering produce
Implemented color code system for dating pantry items and and nonperishable items
THE MOBILE MARKET* food programs assessment form for clients to provide feedback Educating the college community about
VOLUNTEER OPERATIONS Started a food programs handbook which includes current basic needs and food insecurity including
Started volunteer incentives: Market Hero of processes for the programs including registration, marketing, our current programs
TOTAL # OF LBS
287 SHOPPERS 29,200 DISTRIBUTED
the Month and a food programs sweatshirt
that volunteers can receive after volunteering
data collection, volunteer duties and descriptions, donations,
education, student advisory board handbook, and operational
Implementing the sustainability plan
Expanding and relocating the food pantry
with us at least 3 times tasks Outside leveraging of funding including
Created volunteer feedback form Started a sustainability plan that includes: mission, goals and grant applications
FOOD SECURITY
On the registration form, we ask Constructed four volunteer job descriptions objectives, analysis, financial planning, education, and next Implementing pantry software
only one basic food security steps. Possible part-time basic needs assistant
question MARKETING
RESOURCES & PARTNERSHIPS
Does using the market Created a series of posters and fliers to
Acquisition of refrigerator in the Lawrence pantry
help you worry less promote the food programs on campus and
about paying for
59% social media
Partnership with Dignity Matters: provides femine
hygiene products to up to 30 students per month
Created two powerpoint presentations to use
food? ** ANSWERED YES Continued and strengthened partnerships with Bread &
*all numbers unduplicated for "info sessions" and professors to share in
Roses, the Greater Boston Food Bank - including piloting
** this question is only online classes
a summer session markets, Merrimack Valley Food Bank,
asked to return shoppers