April 27, 2020 (Middletown, Conn.) — Middlesex Community College (MxCC) is pleased to announce that its Magic Food Bus project has joined Stop & Shop’s School Food Pantry Program. To launch this new partnership, Stop & Shop donated $2,500 in gift cards that will be distributed by mail to MxCC students who used the Magic Food Bus prior to the campus being closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“We are incredibly proud that Stop & Shop is joining forces with MxCC to address food insecurity among our students,” said college CEO Steven Minkler. “We also know that many of our students need help we can’t provide on campus right now. Sending gift cards to Magic Food Bus shoppers may make the difference between them having a meal or not.”
According to Stop & Shop, the School Food Pantry Program “allocates funding to schools with a demonstrated need for school-based food pantries. Whether supporting an existing school-based food pantry or helping to launch a pantry of their own, Stop & Shop is reducing hunger by ensuring that students young and old have enough food to eat.”
“We recognize the important role that food pantries play in the lives of students and their families. We felt it was is integral that we offer additional aide to the Middlesex Community College Magic Food Bus food pantry as they continue to work remotely to help those impacted by COVID-19, ensuring that they have access to food,” said Maura O’Brien, a spokesperson for Stop & Shop.
Since the campus closed in mid-March, the college is also referring students to the Amazing Grace Food Pantry in Middletown. Nonperishable items donated to the Magic Food Bus are being brought to Amazing Grace for distribution. The MxCC Foundation recently transferred financial credits at the Connecticut Food Bank to Amazing Grace as well.
Opened in 2016 and operated by students and volunteers, the Magic Food Bus seeks to alleviate the challenges of food insecurity faced by college students and their families. The food pantry program provides nonperishable food items, toiletries, and other items to MxCC students and staff.
To contribute to these efforts and provide aid to students, please donate to the MxCC Cares Fund launched by the Middlesex Community College Foundation at https://mxcc.edu/foundation/mxcc-cares/.
About Middlesex Community College
Since 1966, Middlesex Community College has provided high-quality, affordable, and accessible education to a diverse population, enhancing the strengths of individuals through degree, certificate, and lifelong learning programs that lead to university transfer, employment, and an enriched awareness of our shared responsibilities as global citizens. A part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, MxCC offers more than 70 degree or certificate programs at the 35-acre campus in Middletown, MxCC@Platt in Meriden, and online.
About the MxCC Foundation
The MxCC Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charity incorporated in Connecticut, supports the college and its students by receiving, managing, and distributing funds for scholarships and other educational purposes, and generates and strengthens communication and collaboration between the college and the Foundation with business, industry, professional, civic, and educational leaders in the community.
About Stop & Shop
A neighborhood grocer for more than 100 years, today’s Stop & Shop is refreshed, reenergized and inspired, delivering new conveniences for customers. Committed to helping its communities enjoy better food and better lives, Stop & Shop has a longstanding history of giving back to the neighborhoods it serves with a focus on fighting hunger and helping children to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. To learn more, visit stopandshop.com.
