In recent weeks, an inspiring number of Niagara College students, employees, alumni and others in our community have reached out to ask how they can support students facing financial hardship during COVID-19. This sense of caring and generosity is a testament to our NC DNA, and a source of strength for many of us during this difficult time.
Emergency Grocery Card program (Nourishing Minds Fund)
With the support of corporate and individual donors, Niagara College’s Development & Alumni Relations department has been able to allocate $50,000 to support NCSAC’s Nourishing Minds Fund to help alleviate the food insecurity faced by many NC students. During the COVID-19 situation, funds will support the Emergency Grocery Card program for students in need, providing virtual gift cards to buy groceries. Further fundraising by the college and NCSAC is also underway to help address this growing and urgent need.
“This week’s announcement by President Sean Kennedy about the reallocation of $50,000 from Alumni Relations to the Nourishing Minds Fund highlights the College’s unyielding commitment to support students,” said Price. “The student support provided by trailblazing adaptability, passionate creativity, and the collaborative partnership between NC and NCSAC has resulted in $100,000 of funding that will continue to provide thousands of virtual grocery cards to the students of Niagara College.”
Grocery cards are made available weekly to students in need via yourncsac.ca/groceryhelp.
Emergency Bursary programs
In addition, to help address the growing income insecurity and financial shortfalls faced by our students, the college is allocating additional funds to emergency bursary programs administered through the Financial Aid and International areas.
Domestic students can access these services by contacting [email protected], and International students via their International Student Advisor.
Ways to give
Please consider making a donation to NCSAC’s Nourishing Minds Fund and/or the Emergency Bursary program. You can make your gift online by visiting: donate.niagaracollege.ca/ways-to-give.
You may choose to make a one-time donation or a pledge over multiple years, and you can select which fund you wish to contribute to. A charitable tax receipt will be issued for donations made by debit/credit card. Gifts made through payroll deduction will be reflected on your annual T4.
“The NCSAC Nourishing Minds Fund has recently received thousands of dollars in donations from staff and students, and with the ease of giving through the new Ways to Give website, NCSAC will undoubtedly see an enormous increase in donations,” said NCSAC President Tom Price.
NC students raise $1,260 to support @yourNCSAC's Nourishing Minds Grocery Gift Card program, providing vital support to students experiencing food insecurities during these difficult times.
Read more⬇️t.co/lLthU0RjUm
Donate to Nourishing Minds⬇️t.co/W6ogKYB7q1
— Niagara College (@niagaracollege) March 25, 2020
