NC is hoping to raise $25,000 to support students battling food insecurity this Giving Tuesday – and the College community is encouraged to help.
On December 3, NC Advancement will launch its 2024 Giving Tuesday campaign – part of an annual worldwide movement to encourage giving and celebrate generosity, following popular retail shopping days Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
NC’s Giving Tuesday campaign will support Nourishing Minds, the College’s student food insecurity initiative, which provides emergency digital grocery cards and breakfast to students in need.
“Giving Tuesday is a great example of what happens when the Niagara College community comes together to support a cause,” said Development Officer Emily O’Connor. “Every gift makes a meaningful difference and collectively, we can make a substantial impact in the fight against food insecurity on our campuses.”
When it comes to the need for helping students who battle food insecurity, the proof is in the pudding – or, more specifically, the numbers. So far this year, Nourishing Minds has distributed more than $15,600 through 208 grocery gift cards to help students purchase food, toiletries, and other life essentials – and even more students have benefitted from Rise and Shine.
This Fall term alone, an average of 19,000 students have attended the breakfasts so far at the Welland Campus (about 400 at each event), while an average of 17,000 students have attended at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus (about 215 students at each event).
Community partnership
The College’s Giving Tuesday campaign has a head-start this year with support from a community partner. FirstOntario Credit Union has committed to a $12,500 gift to support NC’s Giving Tuesday campaign.
A small group of volunteers from FirstOntario Credit Union are also planning to roll up their sleeves and participate in Rise and Shine on December 3. They will kickstart Giving Tuesday by helping to serve a hot breakfast at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
O’Connor hopes support from the College community will ‘double the impact’ of FirstOntario’s donation to reach this year’s fundraising goal.
“With the generous commitment from FirstOntario Credit Union, I’m confident we’ll reach our goal of $25,000, together,” said O’Connor
“We at NCSAC are so incredibly appreciative and grateful that NC’s Giving Tuesday campaign, along with the generous contribution from FirstOntario, will be focused on supporting our Nourishing Minds Fund,” said NCSAC President Dipal Patel. “We know all the funds raised will directly support students as they pursue their biggest dreams and aspirations.”
Over the past four years, NC’s Giving Tuesday campaign has raised $53,000 in support of Nourishing Minds.
Donate on Giving Tuesday
The NC community is encouraged to donate to the Giving Tuesday campaign with a one-time, monthly or annual gift. To contribute, visit:
wcsvpw3web02.niagaracollege.ca/NiagaraDonationForm/
For more details visit NC’s Giving Tuesday web page at donate.niagaracollege.ca/givingtuesday/
