(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA)—When college students face food insecurity, it can hurt their academic performance and ability to achieve their educational and professional goals. Since 2020, Delaware County Community College—designated a PA Hunger-Free Campus by the Pennsylvania Department of Education—has been a critical resource in addressing food insecurity and other basic needs for students, helping to remove barriers to education and promote student success. Now, DCCC has received a $16,800 grant from the Delaware County Interactive Gaming Revenue Authority (DCIGRA) through the DCCC Educational Foundation to support the College’s food pantry options at its Essential Student Resource Center.

The grant funds will support the food pantry services at the College’s Marple Campus and at its Downingtown and Southeast Centers throughout the 2026 calendar year. The food pantry offers students access to both perishable and non-perishable food in addition to toiletries. All DCCC students are welcome to utilize these resources at no cost.

During the 2024-2025 academic year, DCCC’s Essential Student Resource Center supported thousands of students through its food pantry and related services, including more than 6,000 student visits, the distribution of over 25,000 pounds of food in partnership with Philabundance, and nearly 9,500 grab-and-go breakfast items provided during the fall and spring semesters. The Center also offers textbook assistance, mentoring, and student engagement programming that supports academic persistence and academic success.

Nationally, food insecurity remains a significant challenge for college students; 23 percent of undergraduates experience food insecurity, according to a 2023 survey by Temple University’s The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs.

“This grant from DCIGRA will make a significant difference in the lives of DCCC students,” said Dr. Kendrick Mickens, DCCC’s director of Student Outreach and Support. “It enhances our ability to provide valuable resources to our students and helps improve their retention and graduation rates.”

In 2022, the DCCC Educational Foundation received a $5,000 grant from DCIGRA to support the College’s Center for Equity and Social Justice.

“We appreciate DCIGRA’s continued interest in our efforts to provide equitable access to higher education to students in Delaware and Chester Counties,” said DCCC President Dr. Marta Yera Cronin.

Established by Delaware County Council, DCIGRA’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Delaware County through the distribution of tax revenues from online gaming in Pennsylvania. DCIGRA invests in economic and community development, emergency services and non-profit organizations, with an emphasis on under-resourced communities.