Boston, MA (November 17, 2025) — Northern Essex Community College will receive $15,559 to help with existing efforts to fight student hunger. The funding is part of $500,000 that the Healey Driscoll Administration has awarded across 30 colleges and universities in Massachusetts as Hunger Free Campus Initiative grants. The administration estimates the funding will help 36,000 college students.

At NECC, students have access to food vouchers, a food pantry, and assistance with SNAP benefits. Additionally, the college offers direct connections for students and their families to existing food resources in their communities. A full list can be found on the food support webpage.

The year’s Hunger Free Campus Initiative grants arrive at a time when President Trump and Congressional Republicans passed a bill that makes severe changes to SNAP and may result in more than 150,000 Massachusetts residents having their SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated, including students. Earlier this month, President Trump became the first President in United States history to withhold SNAP benefits during a federal government shutdown.

“We want college students to be able to focus on succeeding in school and their career, but they can’t do that if they are facing hunger,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Far too many students on our campuses were already struggling to afford food, and President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ cuts to SNAP and other food assistance programs have made things even worse. In Massachusetts, we are committed to preventing everyone, including our students, from going hungry.”

A complete list of funding recipients and more details on the Hunger Free Campus Initiative can be found here.

This article was adapted from a press release by the offices of Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll.