The season of giving is here — and so is one of NHCC’s most meaningful traditions. There are several ways you can support NHCC students during this holiday season.
Join us for the Nourish & Flourish Food Drive (formerly Thanks-A-Ton) which takes place on Minnesota’s Give to the Max Day as we come together to support the NHCC Food Cupboard and the students who depend on it.
When: Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: NHCC Campus Center Cafeteria
Campus Goal: 3,700 lbs. of donations
Last year we collected 3,464 lbs. — let’s aim even higher in 2025!
How to Participate
- Bring Non-Perishable Items – “Shopping List” coming soon. Drop off donations at the Campus Center during the event. Certain items on the shopping list will count double!
- Monetary donations - Every $1 = 0.5 lbs towards the total. Monetary donations are appreciated as it helps us purchase heavily needed items throughout the year.
- Donate Online – If participating in the campus competition, enter your club, department, or team name where indicated.
- Cash or check
- Prior to the event, bring cash or check to the NHCC Foundation office located in the Educational Services building (ES-10)
- Day of event, bring to Campus Center and join the event’s activities!
Friendly Campus Competition
- Prizes for the top student club/organization and top campus department. Departments with five or fewer employees can team up — just share your team name when donating.
More Than a Food Drive
While you’re here, enjoy:
- Nutrition & Wellness Activities with Recreation & Wellness
- Clothing Swap in Campus Center Room 244
- SNAP Info Table by Wellspring Second Chance Center
- Holiday Helper — Support Parenting Students
- Would you like to brighten a child’s holiday by receiving a festive ornament and giving a gift to a student-parent’s child? Support an NHCC student this season by helping make the holidays special for their family.
- Visit the link to show your interest in becoming a Holiday Helper. This will help the CARE Center determine how many student families we can sponsor. All families will be thoughtfully vetted through a meeting with our Parent Navigator to ensure support goes to those with the greatest need.
Last Year’s Highlights
- Total Donations: 3,464.40 lbs.
- Top Campus Department: CARE Center – 764.40 lbs.
- Top Student Club/ Organization: Student Nurses Association – 270 lbs.
- Donations provided food, hygiene items, healthy snacks, and more for NHCC students.
Testimonial Spotlight
“Without the support from another student showing me the Food Cupboard, I would have dropped out from NHCC. I was struggling with the decision to buy food or pay for tuition. Not only that, but I could also get toilet paper, hand soap, toothpaste... I never thought I would be SO thankful for HAND SOAP.” – NHCC alum
“It’s amazing to see everyone come together and see the amount of goods that we collect. A little competition helps! I encourage the clubs and orgs leaders to compete too. The food drive brings everyone together and creates awareness for the campus and ways to support us students. The Food Cupboard helped me and I enjoy giving back- one of my favorite things I donate is instant coffee because not everyone has access to electricity to heat up water.” - Melissa S-H., NHCC alumna
"While competition brings energy and excitement, the true victory lies in the quiet relief felt by students who find nourishment through our campus food cupboard. As someone who has experienced that comfort firsthand, I know that this resource can be the difference between going hungry and finding hope." - Teresa K., NHCC alumna
Mark Your Calendar – Every Box, Can, Dollar, and Holiday Gift Counts!