Empowering Students: DCCC's Essential Student Resource Center Expands to Address Food Insecurity

In a time when college students face increasing financial challenges, Delaware County Community College (DCCC) has taken a proactive approach to supporting its student population. The college's Essential Student Resource Center, which provides a wide range of services, including a food pantry, has recently undergone a significant expansion, thanks to a generous $75,000 gift from Aqua, an Essential Utilities company.

Bridging the Gap: DCCC's Commitment to Student Success

Addressing the Issue of Food Insecurity

According to a 2023 survey by Temple University's The Hope Center, 23 percent of undergraduates in the United States are experiencing food insecurity. This alarming statistic highlights the pressing need for institutions like DCCC to step up and provide support to their students. Since 2020, DCCC has been at the forefront of this effort, operating a food pantry that serves more than 2,400 students per year. The pantry is stocked with non-perishable food, toiletries, and school supplies, all aimed at reducing the barriers to student success.

Expanding the Essential Student Resource Center

The recent $75,000 gift from Aqua has allowed DCCC to significantly expand the Essential Student Resource Center, which houses the college's food pantry. The additional space will enable the center to serve up to 15 percent more students, reaching a total of 2,700 students per year. This expansion will also allow the college to increase its food orders from Philabundance, a local food bank, from 2,000 lbs. to 2,500 lbs. per month. Additionally, the college will now be able to store meat and other frozen food items that Philabundance periodically provides.

Empowering Students and Improving Outcomes

The Essential Student Resource Center plays a crucial role in DCCC's mission to provide equitable access to higher education. As Dr. Marta Yera Cronin, the college's President, stated, "Our Student Resource Center is essential in helping to improve our students' graduation, retention, and completion rates." The center's services, including the food pantry, have demonstrated a significant impact, with 70 percent of the center's visits being attributed to the food pantry.

Collaborative Efforts and Community Support

DCCC's Essential Student Resource Center is not just a college-led initiative; it is a collaborative effort that involves various community partners. In addition to Philabundance, the college also receives support from Wawa and Sharing Excess, a nonprofit that donates fresh produce to the pantry. These partnerships, along with the generous support from Aqua, have been instrumental in the center's ability to serve the needs of DCCC's student population.

Empowering Students, Transforming Lives

The expansion of DCCC's Essential Student Resource Center is a testament to the college's unwavering commitment to its students. By addressing the issue of food insecurity, DCCC is not only providing immediate relief but also empowering its students to focus on their academic and personal goals. As Dr. Kendrick Mickens, the Director of Student Outreach and Support at DCCC, aptly stated, "The Essential Student Resource Center will continue to empower and uplift our student community."