September marked Hunger Awareness Month, and the National Park College community rallied together in a campus-wide effort to support students and employees facing food insecurity.
Faculty, staff and students participated in a friendly competition to see which department could donate the most items to the Helping Hawks Food Pantry. The result was a remarkable show of generosity: 1,445 food items were collected to help stock the pantry and provide meals for those in need.
The Administration and Finance Department earned top honors for the volume of their donations. Vice President for Administration Kelli Embry praised her team’s commitment and chose to donate their pizza party prize funds back to the pantry to help provide holiday meals.
“The Administration team is always generous when contributing to this project,” Embry said. “I am grateful to all employees and students who contribute to this project. Administration has won or tied for a few years, but it’s not about us; it’s all about the students and the work of our food pantry.”
The Helping Hawks Food Pantry remains a vital resource on campus, offering support to members of the NPC family during challenging times. Career Services administrative assistant and pantry administrator Katelyn Beckwith expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support.
“What may feel like a small act of kindness to one person adds up to something truly life-changing for others,” Beckwith said. “Every item donated tells our students that their community believes in them, supports them, and wants to see them succeed.”
Beckwith added that donations are welcome year-round and help sustain the pantry’s mission to serve the campus community.
“We are deeply grateful for every contribution and reminder that compassion and generosity run strong here at NPC,” she said.
For more information about the Helping Hawks Food Pantry, email Food.Pantry@np.edu.