GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — With food insecurity on the rise in Franklin County, and federal cuts to food assistance programs, the members of the Franklin Community Co-op have formed the Giving Circle initiative to help provide free food to students in need at Greenfield Community College. The initiative is hoping to raise $10,000 for the GCC Corner market pantry. 

Franklin Community Co-op Member-Owner Launches Giving Circle to Support Hunger-Free Campus at Greenfield Community College
GREENFIELD, MA —  In response to rising food insecurity across Franklin County and recent federal cuts to food assistance programs, a group of Franklin Community Co-op member-owners led by Co-op Board member Wendy Sibbison is taking action to ensure that no Greenfield Community College student goes hungry.The Giving Circle initiative was launched with the goal of raising $10,000 for GCC’s Corner Market Food Pantry, which provides free food to students in need. Donations will directly support students by stocking pantry shelves with organic and, when possible, locally produced foods—many sourced from local partners including Franklin Community Co-op.

Recent USDA funding cuts – including the cancellation of $400,000 in food deliveries to Western Massachusetts and potential reductions in SNAP benefits – have only intensified the crisis. The Co-op member-owners’ Giving Circle is a direct, grassroots response to these challenges.

Mike Hannigan, a first-generation college student, recently wrote in The Recorder, “At GCC, our campus food pantry is consistently packed. It’s one of the only reasons some students are able to stay in school.” His words inspired the launch of this initiative.

The $10,000 goal will contribute to the $60,000 budget the pantry needs for Fiscal Year 2026. So far, $6,350 has been raised in addition to a $1,000 seed donation from the organizer—leaving $3,650 still needed to reach the goal.

“The pantry’s future depends on continued community support,” said Cyndi Rebelo, GCC’s Special Programs Coordinator for Food Security. “The GCC community is grateful for the Co-op-sponsored fundraiser to help maintain this crucial support for students on their educational journey. A $10,000 donation from Co-op member-owners would be a dream come true.”

“This is a powerful opportunity to put our Co-op’s values into action,” said Sibbison. “Together, we can help make GCC a hunger-free campus.”

How to Donate:

Online: gccfor.me/pantry-fund

By Mail: Checks can be made payable to GCC Foundation, memo line: “FCC Food Pantry Fund,” and mailed to:
    Alexis Page, Executive Director
    GCC Foundation
    1 College Drive
    Greenfield, MA 01301