By: Angela Mennecke
College of DuPage collected nearly 20,000 food and personal care items for the Illinois Community College Board’s Feed the Need Food Drive—nearly tripling the College’s total from last year. All donations were provided to the College’s Fuel Pantry, which supplies food and personal care items to students in need.
Feed the Need is a statewide initiative that encourages community colleges to collect nonperishable food items for local food pantries and campus-based food banks through a friendly competition.
“Feed the Need is a powerful reminder that when we come together as a campus and community, we can make a meaningful difference for students and families facing food insecurity,” said COD President Dr. Muddassir Siddiqi.
According to recent studies, as many as 39 percent of community college students nationwide experience food insecurity, underscoring the importance of initiatives like Feed the Need. Through collective efforts, Illinois community colleges continue to demonstrate their commitment to student well-being and the communities they serve.
“We’re seeing more students turn to the pantry for support, and community contributions help ensure that no student has to choose between buying food and paying for other essentials,” said COD Fuel Pantry Supervisor Linda Kozlowski.