Tierra Hall-Edward hopes people understand that frequenting the Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) Resource Center & Food Pantry represents an act of strength, not failure.
“In truth,” says Hall-Edward, Director of Counseling Services, “it shows strength and connection, reflecting our ‘from RVCC, for RVCC’ spirit. The pantry isn’t charity; it’s community. It exists to support everyone in the RVCC family, helping us care for one another, and building a stronger, more compassionate campus.”
At Raritan Valley Community College and across the country, food insecurity is a growing challenge for college students unable to attain enough quality food to meet their basic needs.
The impact goes beyond hunger, affecting their mental health, academic performance, and life outside of school. Nationally, 40% of all college students and 47% of community college students experience food insecurity. At RVCC, there were 9,440 visits to the Resource Center & Food Pantry in 2025, representing a 21% increase from the previous year.
In her role at RVCC, Hall-Edward supports and leads mental health staff and campus-wide efforts focused on student well-being, including the Resource Center & Food Pantry. Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. The Somerset County Business Partnership recently honored her on its 40 under 40 list of dedicated young professionals who went above and beyond the call of duty within their jobs and communities in 2025.
The resource center can help students in numerous ways, including providing proper attire for job interviews, seasonal everyday clothing, gas and grocery cards, book vouchers, transportation assistance, laptop loaners, and housing and medical resources. The food pantry in the back of the center is stocked with non-perishable grocery items.
RVCC depends on donations from community partners, including over $1,000 worth of fresh produce, meat, dairy products, and pantry items from the weekly Wegmans on-campus delivery; clothing and food provided by the Somerset Food Bank; contributions from the Community Food Bank of New Jersey; and additional financial support from community donors, including student associations, faculty, and staff.
Hall-Edward says students’ basic needs like housing, financial stability, and access to nutritious food have always existed, but the complexity and scale of those needs is increasing.
“We’re seeing growing instability as students navigate rising costs, limited resources, and broader economic challenges,” she said.
“At the same time, funding cuts to community organizations and food pantries mean there’s less support available to meet increasing demand. Students today are juggling more uncertainty, often in multiple areas of their lives. So, while the needs themselves haven’t changed, the challenges around meeting them have become more sophisticated and urgent.”
The RVCC community, led by the RVCC Foundation, held an “Evening of Generosity & Gratitude” on Dec. 9 to thank its donors and make further strides to combat food insecurity on campus. Over $66,000 was raised for the food pantry during the celebration and through online fundraising, thanks in large part to a $50,000 anonymous gift.
The event also served as a ceremonial kickoff for the RVCC Foundation’s fundraising campaign to support hunger, which has brought in more support.
To help the foundation’s ongoing efforts to address food insecurity on campus, visit www.raritanval.edu/hunger.
