Elgin Community College Joins Third Annual Feed The Need Food Drive

Elgin Community College (ECC) is joining community colleges across Illinois this fall to help address food insecurity through the third annual Feed The Need Campus Food Drive. 

ECC took home the top spot in the 2025 Feed the Need Campus Food Drive, collecting more than 34,000 non-perishable items for the Spartan Pantry. In 2024, ECC came in second place, donating a total of 17,917 items to our Spartan Pantry. 

From October 19 through November 30, 2026, colleges across the state will collect non-perishable food items on campus. The statewide initiative, organized by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), engages campuses in a friendly competition while serving a critical need.

“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 at ECC’s Student Life office in Building B, Room 173, located at 1700 Spartan Drive in Elgin. The Student Life office is open 9 am to 7 pm Monday through Thursday, and 8 am to 5 pm on Fridays. Students, faculty, staff, and community members can participate by dropping off non-perishable food items during the drive.

According to recent studies, as many as 40 % of community college students nationally face food insecurity, highlighting the importance of initiatives like Feed the Need. By working together, Illinois community colleges are demonstrating their commitment to student well-being and to the communities they call home.

“Over the past two years, Feed the Need has grown into a tremendous statewide effort, demonstrating what Illinois Community Colleges can accomplish when we come together around a shared purpose,” said Brian Durham, ICCB Executive Director. “Food insecurity continues to be a real challenge for many students and families, and we encourage every college to get involved and help us build on the momentum we have created.”

Last year, Illinois community colleges collectively donated more than 180,000 food items to support students and families across the state. That total dwarfed the 91,000 items collected in the inaugural 2024 effort.

All donations collected at Elgin Community College will directly support the Spartan Pantry, ensuring students and local families have access to meals during the holiday season and beyond.

About the Feed The Need Food Drive

Launched in 2024, the Feed The Need Food Drive is a systemwide effort led by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) to address food insecurity on campuses across Illinois. The friendly competition engages all 39 community college districts in collecting food donations to benefit local food pantries and student support services.