As the holiday season is approaching, LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC) is requesting monetary donations or non-perishable food, toiletries, cleaning supplies and other essential items for its LaGuardia CARES initiative that serves students and community members in need.
“LaGuardia students are working to create better lives for themselves and their family members through higher education,” said Kenneth Adams, president of LAGCC. “Resources provided by LaGuardia CARES can be the difference between a student staying in school and making it to graduation or stopping out. Donations of almost any kind are greatly appreciated.”
Ninety-nine percent of LaGuardia students receive some form of financial aid, including COVID-related aid. Fifty-four percent of students receiving aid and living independently earn less than $25,000 per year. Half of LaGuardia students attend part-time, often because they need to work to support their families. Nearly one in four LaGuardia students receive support from LaGuardia CARES — approximately 4,000 students each year.
LaGuardia CARES (College Access for Retention and Economic Success) runs the college’s pantry where students can receive perishable and non-perishable groceries for a week’s worth of three balanced meals per day for them and their immediate family members. The pantry also supplies students with toiletries, cleaning supplies, winter clothes, gently used clothing, baby care supplies and other essentials.
“Since September, we have seen a significant increase in need for the pantry, where we are currently serving about 40 students per day,” said Rhonda Mouton, director of LaGuardia CARES. “This drive will help us gear up for the upcoming holidays and school breaks when need for the pantry is highest, especially for our numerous student-parents. Because when school is out, people get hungry.”
Needed items include the following:
- Cleaning supplies, e.g. laundry detergent, household cleaners
- Feminine hygiene products
- Gently used clothing of all sizes
- Non-perishable food
- Toiletries (body wash, shampoo and conditioner, dental floss, mouth wash, soap)
- Winter coats
To make a donation, drop off items at the LaGuardia CARES office at LaGuardia Community College’s C-Building, located at 29-10 Thomson Ave., C-107, Long Island City, 11101. The building entrance is on Thomson Avenue near the intersection with Skillman Avenue.
Donors can also contact LaGuardia CARES at 718-482-5129 or laguardiacare@lagcc.cuny.edu to request a pick-up of donations, for help with sizable donations or with vendor inquiries. Click here to make a monetary gift toward the purchase of food, clothing, toiletries, cleaning supplies and more.
The Winter Drive is in partnership with the Food Insecurity, Justice and Community Need (FIJCN) Committee of the LaGuardia Community College Senate.
