October 27
l-r: Kristine Babcock, NSCC Veterans Services Coordinator, Gail Hewins - VNEOC, (Veterans Northeast Outreach Center) Rachel WIlliams - VNEOC, Doris Syrakos - Volunteer, Gold Star Mother, Jim Beard- VNEOC, Kelley Rayos-Teixeira, Danvers VSO (Veterans Services Officer)
Since April 29, 2020, NSCC has hosted a free, bi-weekly drive-through food distribution pop-up for veterans on its Danvers campus, coordinated by NSCC alumnus and Student Veterans Services Coordinator, Kristine Babcock ‘85. Each recipient receives a 45-pound box of non-perishable food (enough for 2 people for two weeks) along with fresh produce and eggs.
The project is an all-volunteer collaboration organized by the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center (VNOC), of Haverhill, Food4Vets through the Mass Military Support Foundation.
The program is designed to get necessary food to area military veterans who are uncomfortable shopping at a supermarket at this time or who are running short on money to buy food. Distributions will be held, until the coronavirus pandemic has eased, at NSCC every other Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon on the college's Danvers Campus, 1 Ferncroft Road, parking lot 6 near the Health Professions and Student Services building.
“NSCC has been dedicated to serving student veterans and has been recognized as a national Military Friendly School for the last decade, which made the partnership right,” said Kristine. “We were excited to get onboard when we were approached and look forward to continuing to contribute to this wonderful initiative as long as there is a need.”
For a list of MA distribution sites, dates/times, directions and volunteer opportunities, go to https://mmsfi.org/ Veterans must pre-register online at https://mmsfi.org/ or by phone at 978-372-3626.