President Eddinger (second from left) celebrates DISH Food Pantry anniversary alongside DISH staff members Emery Spooner (far left) and Chelsea Alexander (second from right) and Assistant Dean of Students Will Cribby (far right).

An event celebrating the 5-year anniversary of BHCC’s on-campus food pantry DISH in early October at the new Student Success Center on the Charlestown Campus brought together college leaders, community partners and student representatives who have played a key role in supporting DISH over the years. Chelsea Alexander, DISH Food Pantry coordinator, and Emery Spooner, DISH Food Pantry assistant, welcomed attendees, setting the tone for a day of reflection, gratitude and hope. BHCC President Pam Eddinger delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the College’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting students’ success. “DISH has become more than just a pantry,” she said. “It is a lifeline for many students, ensuring they have the nutrition and support needed to focus on their education and future."

The journey to an on-campus food source began long before DISH officially opened its doors. Kathleen O’Neill, director of Single Stop, shared how the college started addressing student hunger in 2011 by connecting students to financial and community resources. Partnerships with organizations like Food Link and The Greater Boston Food Bank allowed BHCC to host a mobile food market, providing students with essential supplies.

Over time, the need for a more permanent solution became clear. Will Cribby, assistant dean of students, recounted how DISH was created with support from student leaders, the BHCC Foundation and generous donors.

“The dedication from our students, faculty, and community partners made DISH possible,” Cribby said, highlighting contributions from the Student Government Association (SGA), major donors such as Liberty Mutual Insurance and the Eos Foundation, and other philanthropic supporters.

DISH officially opened in the fall of 2019 after years of planning and fundraising. Molly Hansen, the first DISH special programs coordinator, led efforts to build and operate the pantry, making it a welcoming space for students to access food and resources discreetly and comfortably.

Since its launch, DISH has evolved to meet the needs of the BHCC community. During the pandemic, the team quickly adapted by partnering with SnapChef to deliver groceries to students’ homes. They also launched Molly’s Kitchen, a virtual cooking show to help students make the most of pantry supplies.

The pantry continued to expand its services, adding refrigerated lockers, Grab & Go locations and extended hours.  

At the anniversary celebration, student leaders such as Ariel Gustowski, SGA president, and Zakaria Kantou, SGA vice president and DISH staff member, shared how DISH has made a tangible difference in students’ lives, reducing the stress of food insecurity and allowing them to focus on their studies.

DISH’s impact has reached far beyond the BHCC campus. In 2019, the college hosted the Voices of Hunger on Campus symposium, bringing together leaders from across the state to discuss and address student hunger. The conference helped spur national studies on food insecurity among college students and helped inform state and federal legislation.

Additionally, the Healey-Driscoll administration recently took a step toward ending food insecurity for the 44% of Massachusetts community college students facing hunger. It included $500,000 in the FY25 budget for the Hunger Free Campus Initiative, which supports projects like DISH and resources to connect students with food assistance.  

The celebration of DISH’s fifth anniversary underscored the resilience and dedication of the BHCC community. With 60,772 pounds of food distributed and more than 35,000 Grab & Go visits recorded in 2024 alone, the pantry continues to grow, thanks to the support of its staff, students, and partners. In 2024, one such partner, Liberty Mutual, awarded BHCC with a $150,000 grant over the next three years to support stocking the pantry with specialty items, including baby products and culturally relevant foods.

Chelsea Alexander closed the event by expressing her gratitude: “This is a community effort, and we have built something exceptional together. Here’s to many more years of DISH and the lives it will continue to change.”

DISH has become a model for college food pantries nationwide, demonstrating that it is possible to address hunger and help students thrive with support and collaboration.