Many college students today face food insecurity, which can hurt their academic performance and ability to achieve their educational and professional goals. Overall, 23 percent of undergraduates are experiencing food insecurity, according to a 2023 survey by Temple University’s The Hope Center.

Since 2020, Delaware County Community College (DCCC) — designated a PA Hunger-Free Campus by the Pennsylvania Department of Education — has provided its students with a food pantry stocked with non-perishable food, toiletries, school supplies, and more, serving more than 2,400 students per year.

The College recently received a gift of $75,000 from Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, to support and significantly enlarge the College’s Student Resource Center, which offers a wide range of services — including the food pantry — that reduce barriers to student success. The food pantry accounts for 70 percent of Student Resource Center visits, demonstrating the great need for its services.

On Friday, Sept. 6, the College celebrated the opening of the newly renamed Essential Student Resource Center and Food Pantry on the Marple Campus with a special ribbon cutting followed by a festive Welcome Back Barbecue for students.

“Our Student Resource Center is essential in helping to improve our students’ graduation, retention, and completion rates,” said Dr. Marta Yera Cronin, President of Delaware County Community College, upon receipt of the $75,000 gift. “We are grateful to Aqua for their support in our mission to provide equitable access to higher education to students in Delaware and Chester Counties.”  

The newly added space allows the Essential Student Resource Center to serve up to 15 percent more students, up to 2,700 students per year, and increase food orders from Philabundance — which provides most of the food items — from 2,000 lbs. to 2,500 lbs. per month. Wawa and Sharing Excess, a nonprofit that donates fresh produce, also contribute significantly to the food pantry. Additionally, the expansion will allow the College to store meat and other frozen food items that Philabundance offers periodically.

“Aqua’s generous support enhances our ability to provide valuable resources to our students and helps improve their retention and graduation rates,” said Dr. Kendrick Mickens, Director of Student Outreach and Support at DCCC. “The Essential Student Resource Center will continue to empower and uplift our student community.”

Learn more at DCCC. For 57 years, Delaware County Community College has served as the center of educational opportunity for residents of Delaware and Chester Counties.