The grant funding will expand the college’s Campus Cupboard into a larger and more accessible food pantry.
North Central Michigan College has received a grant from Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP)’s Hunger-Free Campus Activities Grants program. The $45,050 grant will allow North Central Michigan College to support its students who are experiencing food insecurity by expanding its existing Campus Cupboard to become more accessible.
According to an article on North Central Michigan College’s website, Chelsea Platte, who serves as the college’s vice president of advancement and the executive director of the NCMC Foundation, was quoted as saying of the funding from MiLEAP, “Food insecurity remains a real challenge for many college students, and this grant helps us respond in a tangible, student-centered way. We are grateful for MiLEAP’s support as we continue building a campus community where every student has the resources they need to thrive.”
The Campus Cupboard was initially established in 2019. It is a year-round food pantry that provides students with both food basics and personal essential items. Demand for the pantry and its support has grown over the years, and the MiLEAP funding will allow the college to relocate the pantry to a more accessible part of campus and increase its capacity to serve even more students.
Beginning in the Fall 2026 semester, the Campus Cupboard will be located in the Borra Learning Center, which will more than double the food pantry’s space and capacity. The MiLEAP’s funding will also expand freezer and refrigerator capacity, which will allow the college to offer students more fresh and perishable food items. The funding will also support the implementation of upgraded inventory and reporting systems that will help track student needs. With the relocation comes the opportunity to redesign the Campus Cupboard to be a more welcoming environment that also mimics a grocery store layout.
Following feedback from students, the Campus Cupboard will also offer grab-and-go weekend food bags, emergency meal vouchers, expanded hours, and online ordering options.
Corey Lansing, the college’s dean of Student Success, said, “What began as a small effort to address food insecurity has grown into a vital support system for our students, reflecting both the level of need in our community and our commitment to removing barriers to success. This investment ensures we can continue to care for the whole student.”
For more information about North Central Michigan College, visit the school’s website.