This December 2, Niagara College calls on its community to turn generosity into opportunity.
As the holiday season approaches, NC aims to raise $25,000 for the Nourishing Minds Fund, a vital initiative dedicated to supporting NC students battling food insecurity.
The Nourishing Minds Fund, administered by the NC Student Administrative Council (NCSAC), provides a year-round lifeline to students in need through emergency digital grocery cards. It is also the driving force behind the on-campus Rise and Shine breakfast program, ensuring students start their day ready for success.
Every dollar donated to the Nourishing Minds Fund directly impacts a student’s life, supporting a warm breakfast, a grocery gift card, or essential hygiene products for students in need.
Give a gift to support Nourishing Minds on Giving Tuesday here.
The need
NCSAC President Hish Clifford highlights that, for many, the path to education is paved with difficult financial choices. He was honoured that Nourishing Minds was chosen as NC’s beneficiary for Giving Tuesday 2025, ensuring all funds raised are fully directed toward combating food insecurity.
“Life outside of the classroom, and the walls of Niagara College, is difficult in so many ways for post-secondary students in today’s world. Having to combat the increasing cost of living challenges, rent increases, etc.,” said Clifford.
“For most students, they’re able to navigate those challenges. For some, though, the roadblocks are simply wider than others. That is where Nourishing Minds comes in.
“Whether it’s a free breakfast to help students start their day or a grocery gift card, NCSAC and the Nourishing Minds fund want to ensure that students are going to class with a full stomach. The only thing they should have to worry about is conquering their educational goals!”
The statistics from this year paint a clear picture of the need. Between January and November alone:
• $16,050 has been distributed in Nourishing Mind Gift Cards;
• 209 individual cards have been issued to students in crisis; and
• 25,000 breakfasts have been served through the Rise and Shine program, which runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings at both the Welland and Daniel J. Patterson campuses (excluding summer months).
Nourishing futures
Giving Tuesday is a global movement dedicated to celebrating generosity, serving as a heartwarming counterpoint to the commercialism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
For 2025, NC has set a goal of raising $25,000 to restock the pantry of the Nourishing Minds Fund.
Since 2020, the community has rallied to raise more than $80,000 for the cause. This year, NC’s Development team hopes to push that cumulative total to a monumental $100,000.
“With support from our NC College community, we can reach our $100k milestone this year,” said Development Officer Emily O’Connor. “Please consider a gift that will not only nourish the minds of our students, but their futures.”
Community support in action
Volunteers from FirstOntario will return to dish out support for the Rise & Shine breakfast program on Giving Tuesday (file photo: 2024).
FirstOntario Credit Union continues to be a steadfast partner in feeding student success. Following a generous contribution in 2024, they have pledged another $12,500 donation for Nourishing Minds on Giving Tuesday 2025.
Beyond financial support, the FirstOntario team is getting hands-on. A group of volunteers will spend the morning of December 2 serving breakfast to students at the Rise & Shine program in Welland.
“Food insecurity continues to be a growing concern across our communities, and students are among the most vulnerable. Access to healthy, nutritious food helps fuel learning and success, which is why FirstOntario is proud to contribute $12,500 to Niagara College’s Giving Tuesday campaign,” said Joanne Battaglia, senior vice-president, Marketing, Communications and Community Partnerships.
“In addition to financial support, our Blue Wave volunteers are excited to join the Rise and Shine breakfast again this year. We believe in coming together to make a difference, and we hope other community-minded organizations will join us in supporting this important initiative.”
How to donate
The NC community can help provide the ingredients for a student’s success by donating to the Giving Tuesday campaign.
Donate with a one-time, monthly or annual gift by visiting wcsvpw3web02.niagaracollege.ca/NiagaraDonationForm/.
For more details visit NC’s Giving Tuesday web page at donate.niagaracollege.ca/givingtuesday/.
NC alumni: Give for a chance to win
Members of NC’s alumni community who donate on Giving Tuesday will be entered for a chance to win a culinary experience: lunch for two at Benchmark Restaurant.
The winner will enjoy a five-course menu prepared by students in the School of Culinary Arts at the Final Exam Lunch event on Friday, Dec. 12 (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
About Nourishing Minds
Launched in 2015, NC’s Nourishing Minds Fund is the recipe for student resilience, featuring the Emergency Gift Card and Rise and Shine Breakfast programs.
The Emergency Gift Card program supports students experiencing food insecurity who require emergency funding while attending NC.
The Rise and Shine Breakfast program offers a free “grab and go” breakfast every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the Welland Campus (in front of The Core) and the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake (outside the NCSAC office), excluding summer months.
Visit yourncsac.ca/nourishingminds for info.
