The St. Louis Church Concert Series will once again host a food drive at this year’s “Christmas at St. Louis” concert on December 11 to benefit Howard Community College’s (HCC) Fueling Dragons food pantry.  In an email interview, Anne Johnson, HCC Director of Resource Development, talks about the food pantry’s increased need and challenges.

How has the need for “Fueling Dragons” increased in comparison with the need in 2021?

Last year, the campus pantry served an average of 200 students a month. This year, the pantry is serving 400 students a month. The pantry sees students daily who are hungry and coming in for  breakfast and lunch bag meals, approximately 250 bags per month.  Unfortunately, we anticipate the numbers will continue to grow. 

Last year, many were surprised to learn that students living in one of the wealthiest counties in the nation experienced food insecurity.  Can you elaborate?

Howard Community College strives to fulfill the educational dreams of over 13,000 credit students every year while also contributing to the critical needs in Howard County and the surrounding region. Of all the students enrolled at HCC, 57% receive financial assistance, and 52% of those are living below the poverty line of $30,000.  

What are the biggest challenges faced by “Fueling Dragons” in 2022? 

This year our greatest challenges are: (1) maintaining enough food in the pantry, (2) having enough healthy options in the pantry, and (3) increasing costs of food and other expenses.  Through funds raised, the HCC Educational Foundation provides funds to cover additional food purchases over what is provided through the MD Food Bank monthly delivery and community donations. Due to the increasing cost of food, the weekly budget is not enough to keep  essential items stocked in the pantry.

How can people make monetary donations?

The best way to make a monetary donation is online through the HCC website. Fueling Dragons | Howard Community College (howardcc.edu)  www.howardcc.edu/donors -

Monetary donations can also be made by sending a check payable to Howard Community College Educational Foundation (HCCEF).  Please add a note designating where money should go (like the Fueling Dragons program).

Howard Community College Educational Foundation, Inc.

10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, MH 102

Columbia, MD 21044

Anything not covered in the questions above you’d like to add?

Through the Fueling Dragons Program students also can participate in cooking workshops to learn or improve their cooking skills.

Lastly, we’d love to know your favorite Christmas carol or song! “O Holy Night.”