Stop & Shop Donates $5,000 To HCC Food Pantry

With many facing increased financial strain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stop & Shop today announced a $5,000 donation to the Housatonic Community College School Food Pantry. This grant will assist the HCC food pantry in providing nutritious options and basic necessities to students in needs.

“Many in our communities have been forced to face the challenges associated with hunger as a result of COVID-19,” shares Maura O’Brien, Stop & Shop Manager of Community Relations. “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 to assist in supporting the Housatonic Community College on-campus food pantry, helping to ensure students have access to food to help them succeed in their studies and life outside of the classroom.”

Stop & Shop’s donation will benefit HCC students in need by offering them food and financial support to purchase groceries and other essentials. The Stop & Shop-Housatonic School Food Pantry’s operation will focus on providing nutritious options to students. Stop & Shop will also provide students with nutrition education and other resources through its Nutrition Partners program, led by Stop & Shop’s team of registered dietitians.

“We are extremely grateful for this generous donation to establish our first-ever, on-campus food pantry,” said Kristy Jelenik, Executive Director of the Housatonic Community College Foundation. “A large portion of our students struggle with hunger, and thanks to our partnership and sense of community, Stop & Shop is helping them with a basic need that is so important for their learning and persistence at Housatonic.”

A ribbon cutting ceremony held on Tuesday, April 7th at the Housatonic Community College campus located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in Bridgeport, Connecticut, commemorating the pantry’s opening, further solidifying Stop & Shop and Housatonic Community College’s commitment to eradicating food insecurity faced by students.

For more information on Stop & Shop’s programs to support local communities, visit https://stopandshop.com/community/.