MARTINSVILLE, VA – Together, the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE) and the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation donated nearly $5,000 to Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC) to restock the campus food pantry.
According to college officials, food insecurity and hunger issues trouble dozens of PHCC students. Since PHCC began the food pantry in 2017, it has helped approximately 75 students every semester. To keep the pantry stocked, the college mainly relies on donations from the community and college personnel.
“This is a huge blessing,” says Student Success Center Director and pantry manager, Christy Stocks. “With this donation, we should be able to get enough supplies to last an entire semester.”
With the funds, the college intends to purchase nonperishable food items to stock the pantry shelves as well as campus meals and grocery gift cards as needed.
In a letter to the college, The VFCCE and Anthem expressed that this donation may be the beginning of a newly formed partnership. Both organizations intend to continue supporting food emergency relief efforts and other student success initiatives at PHCC.
Patrick Henry Community College, a comprehensive two-year institution, services Martinsville city as well as Patrick and Henry counties. PHCC is a top-tier leader among community colleges in areas such as athletics, technology, and unique program offerings. By providing a multitude of innovative curricula such as motorsports, entrepreneurship and mechatronics, PHCC is changing lives and enriching the community it serves. PHCC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
