Care Team and Food Pantry Need Assistance

In the first eight months of the year, the Virginia Peninsula Community College food pantries distributed more than 19,000 pounds of food to more than 3,200 people.

An initiative of the College's Care Team, the pantries do more than provide food to those in need, said Doreen Dougherty of Student Services at the Hampton campus.

Through a pair of grants from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the College has distributed $6,312 in laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, wipes, paper towels, and more to students.

"All that stuff has been needed by a lot of students," said Dougherty, who has taken charge of the Care Team upon the departure of Richard Hurst, former Disability Support Services coordinator.

Another $2,000 was used to purchase Walmart gift cards for students, who had a particular financial need.

"We had a lot of students who needed baby formula when we had the baby formula shortage," she cited as an example

Dougherty and Shante Bell of Institutional Advancement are the primary contacts at the Hampton campus. At the Historic Triangle campus, the food pantry is accessible through the Student Services office in Suite 117. The pantries are open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at both campuses.

The College purchases most of its food from the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank through donations, which can be made via the College's Educational Foundation. Other ways to donate are by using AmazonSmile. In addition, small private food contributions also are accepted.

Hurst was the College's main shopper, so volunteers are needed to fill the void.

"It's been a little bit of a challenge to keep things going without a hiccup," Dougherty said.

The shopping normally is done Monday mornings, but that time is flexible.

"We're open to doing it whenever someone's available," Dougherty said.

People also are needed to help unload the food and stock the pantries.

"The more hands the better because it's a heavy load," Dougherty said.

Those interested in helping can sign up here.

The Care Team also is preparing for its annual pop-up clothes closet, which is set for Nov. 8 (8 a.m. - 7 p.m.), and Nov. 9 (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.) at Wythe Hall Gallery. Donations can be dropped off at the Hampton campus on Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. At the Historic Triangle campus in Williamsburg, donations can be made in Suite 117 anytime before Nov. 7.

"We definitely need a lot of winter coats, clothing, items, shoes, things like that," Dougherty said.