STCC sends Stop & Shop donation to Springfield Public Schools

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College has passed its donation of milk from Stop & Shop to Springfield Public Schools to help homeless, migrant and at-risk students.

“During this time, we have seen so many families struggling, and being able to pass along a donation like this one brings not only smiles, but relief to their faces,” said Jose Lopez-Figueroa, director of the Center for Access Services at STCC.

Stop & Shop has been donating products and food gift cards to STCC periodically during and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to help students in need.

Lopez-Figueroa said transferring the latest donation to Springfield schools will help support public school students and their parents, some of whom are enrolled at STCC.

“I would like once again to thank the Stop & Shop team for their generous donation and the tremendous support they offer our students here at STCC,” Lopez-Figueroa said. “Springfield Public Schools serve many of STCC students' children. These difficult times have presented our students with many challenges, especially feeding their kids. Springfield Public Schools free meal distribution program has been a tremendous help to many STCC students and their families.”

A spokesperson for Springfield Public Schools thanked Lopez-Figueroa and Stop & Shop for passing along the donation.

“Thank you so much for the very generous donation that you pass along to our students,” said Jennifer C. Sunderland, District Homeless & Migrant Education Services Coordinator for the Springfield Public School Department. “We are already in the process of getting orders picked up so that they can make their way to our homeless, migrant and at-risk students. With our limited budget and growing numbers of families, this has made a huge difference.”

Stop & Shop representative Sarah Williams said the company is happy the Nature’s Promise brand milk donation is being put to good use.

“We are so happy to hear that the milk was able to help those most in need in the Springfield community,” Williams said.

The Center for Access Services at STCC includes a food pantry known as the Ram Cupboard and provides students with a broad range of non-academic supports. CAS staff help students overcome barriers that stand in the way of self-sufficiency, allowing them to succeed and stay in school.

The CAS office houses a variety of services and initiatives, including free school supplies and the RAM Cupboard, which provides groceries and meals to students facing food insecurity. CAS staff also connect students to on-campus resources and provide referrals to community social service agencies that help individuals overcome a variety of issues including, but not limited to: financial challenges, food insecurity, homelessness, substance abuse, and various state and federal benefits.

Any STCC students who need help and anyone who would like to make a donation to CAS should email cas@stcc.edu or call or text (413) 200-8776. To learn more about CAS, visit stcc.edu/resources/personal-support/cas.

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequalled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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