MCC Foundation Establishes Student Emergency Appeal

As Middlesex Community College finds new ways to teach and support students during the COVID-19 pandemic, the mission of the college’s Foundation is more important now than ever before. MCC serves a diverse population and many community members suffer from financial, food and housing insecurity – and these struggles have been heightened due to the current health crisis. In response, the Middlesex Community College Foundation established the Student Emergency Appeal to support students who are directly affected.

The MCC Foundation’s mission is to provide equitable access to a quality education and help students succeed academically and professionally. Raising funds for students suffering from financial stress due to the repercussions of COVID-19 and the need for social distancing is at the heart of what the Foundation does.

“This appeal augments our efforts as student need has increased substantially due to job losses, loss of childcare, the loss of the access to technology – never mind the increase in the challenges with food and housing insecurities,” said Sherri McCormack, MCC’s Dean of Advancements. “Our Student Affairs and Financial Services departments are doing a great job working with students to address and meet those needs.”

The Foundation’s appeal is in addition to the Student Emergency Fund that the college had in place to support students for one-time emergency-based needs, such as house fires, floods and unexpected job loss.

More students than usual have reached out for assistance, according to Jonathan Crockett, MCC’s Coordinator of Essential Needs & Community Resources. Many inquire about accessing the Food Pantries – located on both the Bedford and Lowell campuses – and for Market Basket gift cards community members have donated.

“Right now, we have a lot of students dealing with un- or underemployment and food and housing challenges,” Crockett said. “We’re seeing a ripple effect for some of our students. I know that there are so many people right now who are feeling like they’d like to be helpful in any way they can. The need is now more than ever. I’m grateful to the Foundation both for recognizing the need and for their outreach.”

Crockett expects the requests to increase in the next few weeks. He also emphasizes that students have appreciated the outreach effort, whether or not they have needed extra support.

To contribute to students in need, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/foundation/emergency/ to donate online, or make a check payable to the Middlesex Community College Foundation – with a notation to the MCC Emergency Fund – and mail to PO Box 8681, Lowell, MA, 01853.

For more information on the MCC Foundation, contact Sherri McCormack at mccormacks@middlesex.mass.edu or call 978-656-3034. To get in touch about MCC’s Food Pantries, contact Jonathan Crockett at crockettj@middlesex.mass.edu or call 781-280-3785.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, we educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners. MCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – on our campuses in Bedford and Lowell, and online. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!