$5,000 gift will help stock Mercer County Group College’s foods pantry

Last calendar year, recognizing the increasing meals insecurity problem on university campuses, Mercer County Local community College or university recognized the Mercer Foods Pantry. A modern $5,000 gift from the Laurenti Relatives Charitable Have faith in to the MCCC Basis will assist the faculty provide even additional college students in need.

The Laurenti Family members Charitable Belief was founded in 1999 in honor of Trenton resident Lawrence Laurenti Sr., by his family members. The Laurenti loved ones proceeds to dedicate its initiatives and show its enjoy for the neighborhood by doing the job with area nonprofit businesses and producing optimistic adjust in the community.

The mission of the college’s foodstuff pantry is “to reduce the obstacles and troubles linked with foods insecurity and starvation so that Mercer’s college students can continue to be in school and, in the end, get paid their degrees.” The latest donation boosts the college’s potential to enable tackle the rising situation of foodstuff insecurity.

“Mercer County Community College is grateful to the Laurenti Family members Charitable Have confidence in for its generosity,” said Joe Claffey, executive director of the MCCC Foundation. “Food insecurity cuts across all demographic statuses, enrollment amounts and geographic destinations. This gift demonstrates how the college or university and the Laurenti loved ones are both deeply dedicated to staying drivers in bettering the life of our college students and our neighborhood.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food items insecurity as a deficiency of regular accessibility to adequate foodstuff for an active, healthful daily life. In accordance to latest federal and non-public experiments, 30% of pupils at faculties and universities throughout the place are foods insecure. A December nationwide study located that 30% of pupils also mentioned starvation has “impacted their capacity to research,” and more than 50 % of learners have accessed an off-campus foods bank at least the moment. The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic disaster have only worsened the challenge.

To assist the Mercer County Local community College or university Food items Pantry, take a look at mccc.edu/pantry.

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