When a Little Help Makes All the Difference
Every day at Maria College, we witness the determination of students who are balancing rigorous academic programs with work, family responsibilities, and the rising cost of everyday living. For many, something as fundamental as putting food on the table can become an obstacle to earning a degree.
That’s why programs like EFARM (Emergency Food Assistance Resource at Maria) are so important.
During the 2025–2026 academic year, EFARM provided assistance 279 times, supporting 122 individual students with grocery assistance when they needed it most. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and community partners, the program distributed nearly $50,000 in food assistance, helping students stay focused on their education instead of worrying about where their next meal would come from.
The impact of that support is best expressed by the students themselves.
One nursing student shared, “Programs like EFARM make a real difference for me… Access to food support helps reduce some of that stress and allows me to focus on my studies and continue working toward becoming a nurse.”
Another student wrote, “EFARM has continued to be a great support for my family of four… It has taken a lot of stress off our shoulders and allowed us to focus on our family’s well-being.”
Perhaps the most powerful reflection came from a student who simply said, “EFARM is life-saving. It helped my family so we didn’t go hungry because I had to choose between putting food on the table and paying bills.”
Stories like these remind us that student success depends on more than classrooms and textbooks. It depends on ensuring our students have the basic resources they need to thrive.
As awareness of EFARM has grown across campus, so has the need. This past spring, demand exceeded available funding, requiring the College to establish waitlists and limit monthly assistance to just 13 grocery cards. Unfortunately, we anticipate that need will continue to increase throughout the 2026–2027 academic year.
At Maria College, we believe that no student should have to choose between buying groceries and pursuing a career dedicated to serving others.
Your generosity helps turn that belief into reality.
On behalf of our students, thank you for helping Maria College continue its mission of compassion, dignity, and opportunity. Together, we are not simply helping students stay in school—we are helping them build brighter futures for themselves, their families, and the communities they will one day serve.
If you would like to make a gift to EFARM, please click here!
For more information on EFARM, or to access resources, please email [email protected]. Food Assistance Resources are available to all members of the campus community affected by food insecurity.