Food Resources (Fueling Dragons)

Food Assistance for HCC Students

If you are facing hunger or food insecurity, you are not alone. The Fueling Dragons program at Howard Community College provides resources to overcome food insecurity and develop lifelong healthy habits and skills. 

Campus Food Pantry

The on-campus food pantry provides food and personal care items to current HCC students. What students can expect when visiting the pantry:

• Initially, there is a brief registration process where your student ID (or a class schedule) will verify your current student status. 
• Someone from the pantry team will provide an orientation and walkthrough of the pantry to answer all of your questions.
• Students are welcome to visit the pantry once per week during the hours that are posted for the term. 
• Each visit, students can choose 10 items. If they bring their reusable bag that is provided during their first visit, they can choose 12 items.

The pantry focuses on providing healthier options sorted on the shelves using the SWAP (Supporting Wellness at Pantries) system, a stoplight system to promote items that are lower in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar. In addition to shelf-stable items, the pantry also offers produce from the campus garden, frozen items including meat, refrigerated items including milk and dairy-free alternatives, toiletries and personal care products, recipe meal kits, and bread – all subject to availability.

Fall 2026 Pantry Hours

Stop by during our open hours or contact the Wellness Center at 443-518-4950 to learn more. If you need emergency access to the pantry outside of the posted hours, please visit the Wellness Center or Student Life. Call the Food Pantry at 443-518-4325 during pantry hours or email Pantry@HowardCC.edu with any questions.

Howard Community College is a distribution partner of the Maryland Food Bank.

Support the Food Pantry

The HCC Food Pantry partners with the Maryland Food Bank to stock food and personal care items. We also rely on the generous support of students and employees to keep the shelves full.  Donations can be dropped at the pantry, Hickory Ridge welcome desk, RCF welcome desk, or Kathleen Hetherington Hall (health sciences) lobby.

Interested in volunteering? Consider hosting food drive or participating in a service learning opportunity to benefit the pantry. Students, staff, and community members may also volunteer in the pantry. Email Pantry@HowardCC.edu to learn more. 

Recipes

Did you recently pick up a meal kit at the food pantry? Recipe cards are available to help you prepare your meal kit. All recipes use simple, easy-to-find, fresh ingredients. Ask a food pantry volunteer if you need help finding a recipe card.