VIDEO: ECC Highlights Student Voice as Feed the Need Drive Enters Final Stretch

Elgin Community College (ECC) has joined community colleges across Illinois this fall in the second annual Feed the Need Campus Food Drive, a statewide initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity among college students and families. Since October 15, ECC has collected non-perishable food items on campus, with donations benefiting the college’s student-run Spartan Pantry and local food banks. The drive concludes on December 1. 

To raise awareness and share the impact of this effort, ECC has released a new video that features Sid Perkins, a student leader and officer for both the Spartan Pantry and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society. Perkins offers a firsthand look at how the pantry operates, the growing need they are seeing this semester, and the difference campus donations make for students.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/YulJbOYiwdI?si=WDLUL6x4gH0tuWmN

“At ECC, we recognize that students can’t thrive academically if their basic needs aren’t met,” said Amybeth Maurer, assistant dean of the student experience and engagement. “Feed The Need is a powerful reminder that when we come together as a campus and community, we can make a meaningful difference for students and families facing food insecurity. Every donation—big or small—helps fuel student success.”

Donations can be dropped off in Building B, Room 173, at the ECC Student Life department’s front desk. ECC is located at 1700 Spartan Drive in Elgin, Illinois.

Students, faculty, staff, and community members are encouraged to participate by dropping off non-perishable food items throughout the drive.

The college with the highest total will be recognized at the ICCB Board Meeting on January 16, 2026. Last year, ECC came in second place with a total of 17,917 items donated to our Spartan Pantry.

Most Needed Items

As of early November, the pantry’s most requested items include:

Food:
• Canned meat
• Baking mix
• Frozen meat, snacks, and fruit

Toiletries and essentials:
• Deodorant
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Body wash
• Baby wipes
• Coats and all types of clothing
• Laundry detergent
• Household items

About the Spartan Pantry

The Spartan Pantry is open to ECC students Monday through Thursday, 10 am – 4 pm, in Building B, Room B175. The pantry is student-managed through Phi Theta Kappa and supported by donations from the campus and community.

For information on how to donate or participate in the Feed the Need Food Drive, visit the Spartan Pantry online.