Feeding the Pack, Fueling Success

For nearly two decades, Kathy Ford has called North Carolina State University home. After 14 years with Poole College of Management and almost four years serving as executive assistant in the College of Engineering, Ford has witnessed the shared heartbeat of the Wolfpack community from many angles. 

There was one cause, she said, though, that stood out to her when considering giving back to the Pack that has supported her since 2007 – one that ensures the university stays sufficiently nourished for healthy learning – the Feed the Pack Food Pantry, open to every single NC State student regardless of their financial situation.

“What first drew me to volunteer was a deep commitment to supporting our students,” Ford said. “Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how hunger and financial anxiety can impact a student’s ability to focus, succeed academically and overall feel connected to NC State as a whole.”

For Ford, addressing food and money insecurities is always about empathy, creating a level playing field where any student can reasonably succeed regardless of their financial situation. 

“It’s about giving students the stability they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom,” she added. “A significant number of engineering students I’ve met rely on the pantry for some of their main meals of the day or even the week, which underscores how widespread the issue really is.”

That reality came into focus for Ford when a student shared with her how nondiscriminatory access to Feed the Pack had allowed them to focus on their studies instead of stressing about their next grocery trip. The Pantry is located on Hillsborough Street at the Pack Essentials Hub in North Hall, providing easy accessibility for those in need. 

“Many people don’t realize that food insecurity greatly affects a large number of students who are working multiple jobs, managing families or facing unexpected financial hardships,” Ford explained. “It’s more common than people would like to imagine, and its impact ripples through every part of their lives.”

Last school year, there were over 17,000 visits to the Pantry, more than 250,000 pounds of food distributed and over 95% of program users reported that the resources Pack Essentials offered allowed them to focus better on both their classes and professional interests. 

The Pantry Bowl, NC State’s annual friendly rivalry with UNC-Chapel Hill, raises funds for the Feed the Pack Food Pantry by turning school spirit into tangible community impact. The competition runs Nov. 3 to 30.

“That rivalry adds a fun, competitive spirit that motivates participation,” Ford says. “It transforms simple charity into an exciting event to see which school can fight for their community the hardest, fostering both camaraderie and school pride.”

“The rivalry between NC State and UNC has unmatched energy,” said Adam Compton, Executive Director of Annual Giving and a coordinator for the challenge. “The Pantry Bowl channels that spirit into something meaningful, helping students who are doing everything right but still face food insecurity. It transforms school pride into tangible support and demonstrates how every gift can make a meaningful difference in a student’s life.”

Last year, the Pantry Bowl raised almost $180,000, with NC State beating Carolina by over 500 more gifts given to help fight food insecurity.

Beyond competition, Ford sees a deeper connection.

“The Pantry Bowl unites students, alumni, faculty and staff in the shared goal to strengthen our community,” she said. “Even alumni who no longer use those services can still feel that pride. I love knowing my work helps keep the Pack resilient and compassionate. It is incredibly fulfilling to be reminded every now and then that we’re all part of something bigger than ourselves.”

Ford’s message for others – “Every gift, no matter the size, can make a world of difference. Your generosity can be that priceless moment of hope for someone in need. My hope is that future data reflects greater and greater numbers of students lifted out of food insecurity, fostering a campus where no one ever has to worry about their basic needs.” 

This post was originally published in NC State Alumni Association.