QCC Holiday Support & Food Pantry Efforts | Dr. Pedraja
By-Hank Stolz
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WORCESTER, MA– On Talk of the Commonwealth, Dr. Luis Pedraja, President of Quinsigamond Community College, joined Hank to discuss the busy final weeks of the fall semester. QCC is embracing the season with a strong spirit of giving — and a continued focus on student support.
The QCC Police Department is once again hosting its annual “Stuff a Cruiser” Toy Drive, helping parenting students and their families make the holidays brighter. Additionally, the college will welcome the community to its Fourth Annual Holiday Market, featuring handmade crafts created by QCC faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
Dr. Pedraja also addressed a growing challenge: food insecurity. Since July, 773 students have relied on QCC’s Home Plate Food Pantry, a number increasing by roughly 100 students each month. Many learners are also facing unstable housing or “couch surfing” while working to earn their degrees.
To prevent emergencies from derailing educational goals, the college offers an emergency aid fund for unexpected costs like car repairs or heating bills.
As Dr. Pedraja explained:
“Community college is free, but that doesn’t mean students’ other needs go away. They still need to feed their families, put a roof over their heads, and many struggle to make those payments.”
QCC continues to strengthen the support systems students need to not only stay enrolled — but succeed.
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