STCC welcomes annual Stop & Shop donation for students in need

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College received a five-year commitment from Stop & Shop to help stock the shelves of an on-campus food pantry for students facing food insecurities.

Stop & Shop, which first partnered with STCC in the fall of 2019, committed to donating $50,000 over five years, or $10,000 a year.

“We are grateful to Stop & Shop, which has been very generous over the past few years,” said Dr. Shai Butler, Vice President of Advancement and External Affairs at STCC. “Their support will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students, and their generosity is much appreciated.”

Darcey Kemp, vice president of Student Affairs at STCC, said contributions from partners like Stop & Shop help advance the college’s mission to support students as they transform their lives.

“At STCC, we’re committed to helping students overcome obstacles and challenges in order to achieve their personal and academic goals. This gift provides much needed support for students facing food insecurity,” Kemp said.

Jose Lopez-Figueroa, Director of the Center for Access Services, said part of the donation will go toward expanding the food pantry known as the Ram Cupboard into The Ram Minimart. CAS can now offer basic household necessities, hygiene products and school supplies in addition to food.

“We want our students to know they don’t have to worry about putting food on their tables,” Lopez-Figueroa said. “Our mission at CAS is to help students overcome non-academic barriers impacting their ability to stay in school. We are here for them if they are struggling to pay rent, put food on the table, or need help with any other personal life issues that are affecting their academics. These are difficult times. Students are facing financial hardships making it difficult to make ends meet. We want to help students overcome barriers that stand in the way of self-sufficiency.”

We want our students to know they don’t have to worry about putting food on their tables. Jose Lopez-Figueroa, Director, Center for Access Services at STCC

The CAS office provides free resources to STCC students. In addition to the food pantry, basic necessities, and school supplies, CAS helps students facing hardships during the pandemic to apply for emergency financial support. CAS also offers assistance with SNAP benefits, homelessness and health insurance.

“Many in our communities have been forced to face the challenges associated with hunger as a result of COVID-19,” said Stop & Shop Manager of Community Relations Maura O’Brien. “Students face a unique set of difficulties and lessening the burden of food insecurity that many students face every day will help them to focus on their education and their future. Stop & Shop is proud of its long standing support of STCC’s Ram Cupboard, helping to ensure students have access to food to help them succeed in their studies and life outside of the classroom.” 

Stop & Shop has offered a school-based food pantry program to help reduce hunger among students in communities served by the company’s more than 400 stores in the Northeast.

Stop & Shop works with pre-schools, grade schools and colleges to create a customized program based on the specific needs of the students and the school’s infrastructure. The company’s goal is to ensure that students have access to food.

STCC students who need help should contact CAS by emailing CAS@stcc.edu.

Watch WWLP-22News story about the Stop & Shop donation.

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) 477-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

• See All News