Boston Cares, TJX Work Together in Support of Bunker Hill Community College Students
Local partners supply generous winter supplies to mark MLK Day of Service
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
In observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and National Day of Service, Bunker Hill Community College’s (BHCC) DISH (Delivering Information, Sustenance, and Health) food pantry received a generous restock of food and essential winter supplies, thanks to our longstanding partner The TJX Companies, Inc. and new partnership with Boston Cares.
The BHCC community welcomed a special delivery of 250 soup kits, 500 winter warmth supply kits, and 100 birthday celebration kits. These donations reflect the College’s commitment to empowering students to focus on their health, happiness, and success without the barrier of hunger. As a student-driven and supported resource, the DISH is dedicated to maintaining a safe, dignified, and stigma-free environment.
“When BHCC reached out about needs in their community, we were happy to partner with them, and TJX, to ensure students have the support needed," said Sara Hamilton, Executive Director of Boston Cares. “Winter gear and birthday celebrations are a small way we can collectively care for our collective community, as is volunteering our time to address local needs.”
The volunteer-packed kits were provided by TJX, a longtime supporter of BHCC, which is known for championing the College through its scholarship programs and internship opportunities. Boston Cares organized this community engagement initiative, helping to coordinate the distribution of supplies to ensure they reached those in need.
“Boston Cares and TJX’s joint effort is an exemplar of civic partnerships that address critical needs,” said BHCC President Pam Eddinger. “Their contribution to the DISH Food Pantry supports the well-being of our students and embodies the spirit of community and service that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. envisioned.”
The DISH Food Pantry remains a vital resource for BHCC students, offering sustenance and dignity to those facing food insecurity. Through the support of partners like Boston Cares and TJX, the College reaffirms its dedication to creating a nurturing and equitable environment for all.
Chelsea Alexander, Academic Coordinator of the DISH Food Pantry, emphasized the impact of these donations: “Our students face many challenges, and hunger should never be one of them. The kits provided by Boston Cares and TJX bring comfort and relief, allowing our students to focus on their education and goals. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering support.”
For more information about the DISH Food Pantry or how to support BHCC students, visit bhcc.edu/dishfoodpantry
Event photos are available below.
About Boston Cares
Boston partners with nonprofits and schools to expand their impact by mobilizing diverse people to address our community’s needs collaboratively. Founded in 1991, Boston Cares has leveraged over 1.3 million hours of volunteer service for the Greater Boston community and envisions a more equitable and engaged Boston through volunteerism. Boston Cares is an affiliate of the Points of Light Global Network. For more information, visit www.bostoncares.org.
From left to right: Justin Wonou, DISH Student Staff; Chelsea Alexander, DISH Food Pantry Coordinator; and Anika Vojir, Mike Francis, and Diana Duran, volunteers from Boston Cares stand in front of a fully stocked pantry ready to serve the BHCC community.
Winter care kits, a soup kit, and a special birthday kit are ready to provide BHCC students with essential items, including gloves, hand warmers, and toiletries.
Media Contact:
Brendan P. Hughes, Director of Public Affairs
Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, MA 02129
Phone: 617-937-9365; Email: brendan.hughes@bhcc.edu
About Bunker Hill Community College
With more than 50 years of academic excellence, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is Massachusetts' largest community college, annually welcoming a diverse community of around 16,000 students. With campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, BHCC extends its reach across several locations in Greater Boston. The College offers associate degrees and certificates, early college and dual enrollment, community education, corporate training, and industry-specific training programs. BHCC is celebrated for its diversity, boasting a student body where 65% identify as people of color and more than half are women. The College also embraces a global perspective, with over 600 international students representing 90 countries and conversing in more than 65 languages. Our commitment to diversity is further reflected in BHCC's designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI).