Foundation makes appeal to aid struggling MCC students

The Middlesex Community College Foundation has established a Student Emergency Appeal to raise money to support students who are struggling due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fundraising appeal will add to a Student Emergency Fund the college already had in place to support students with emergency needs, according to a prepared statement issued through the college.

The foundation’s mission is to help all students get equal access to education, and to help students succeed both academically and professionally, according to the statement, which said raising money for students suffering financial stress due to the pandemic is “at the heart of what the foundation does.”

“This appeal augments our efforts as student need has increased substantially due to job losses, loss of childcare, the loss of access to technology — nevermind the increase in the challenges with food and housing insecurities,” said MCC’s Dean of Advancement Sherri McCormack. “Our Student Affairs and Financial Services departments are doing a great job working with students to address and meet those needs.”

Jonathan Crockett, the college’s coordinator of essential needs and community resources, said more students than usual have reached out to the college for assistance, and that many have asked about food pantries operated on both the Bedford and Lowell campuses, as well as about Market Basket gift cards that people have donated.

“Right now, we have a lot of students dealing with un- or underemployment and food and housing challenges,” Crockett said in a statement. “We’re seeing a ripple effect for some of our students. I know that there are so many people right now who are feeling like they’d like to be helpful in any way they can. The need is now more than ever. I’m grateful to the foundation for both recognizing the need and their outreach.”

To contribute to the effort, visit middlesex.mass.edu/foundation/emergency or send a check payable to the Middlesex Community College Foundation, with a notation to the MCC Emergency Fund, to PO Box 8681, Lowell, MA, 01853.

For more information on the MCC Foundation, contact McCormack at mccormacks@middlesex.mass.edu or 978-656-3034. For more information on MCC’s food pantries, contact Crockett at crockettj@middlesex.mass.edu or 781-280-3785.