Community Resources for MCC Students

MCC cares about the health, safety, stability, and success of our campus community. During this especially challenging time, we want to support MCC students dealing with food, housing, or financial insecurity by sharing the following resource information. Surviving COVID-19: A #RealCollege Guide for Students is a publication from The Hope Center which addresses common needs and offers resources.

Community Resources

Teamworks, Inc. (CTI) in Lowell offers a wide variety of services, supports, and resources to families and individuals in the Greater Lowell Community. Services/resources offered by CTI include: family and children, food and nutrition, finances and business, housing and utilities. If you are struggling with any of these areas in your life, CTI is a terrific organization to connect with for support. Please note that the current hours/availability of CTI may be affected by Covid-19.

Food Access

The MCC Lowell and Bedford Food Pantries are currently accessible/available by individual request, 7 days/week between the hours of 8 a.m.-8 p.m. To access either food pantry, and/or to obtain a $25 Market Basket gift card:

  • Go to the campus most convenient to you between 8 a.m-8 p.m.: Cowan Center in Lowell or Bedford House on Bedford Campus
  • Call Public Safety: Bedford (781-589-0234); Lowell (781-589-1384) to have them meet you outside
  • Please have your MCC student ID and/or A# with you to provide to the Public Safety Officer if requested
  • Public Safety will escort you to the pantry (only one person will be admitted at a time)
  • When visiting the MCC campus, you must wear a mask or face shield (required) and gloves (preferred)
  • Please bring your own pen with you for signing in/out
  • Please plan to adhere to social distancing guidelines of 6 feet or more
  • If you have Covid-like symptoms, have tested positive for Covid-19, or been exposed to an individual who has tested positive, please do not visit the MCC Food pantries. (We will gladly arrange an alternate way to get food to you)
  • If available, you can also request/receive 1 Market Basket gift card (unless you have 2 or more children at home, and then you will receive 2 cards) – just ask Public Safety for one (quantities limited)
  • Feel free to bring a reusable bag with you if you’d like, and please be thoughtful about only taking what you need from the pantry.

For questions about specific inventory or other MCC pantry-related questions, email us, and we will try to respond within 24 hours or less.

  • Community Pantries and Meal ProgramsIn addition, the greater Lowell area offers a number of community pantries and meal programs – please check out the list of options by town/location. Some of these programs may be affected by the pandemic – please call in advance to find out about the details.

  • Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
    WIC is a free nutrition program for qualifying Massachusetts families.

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    Many college students are eligible for free food through the SNAP program. To learn more about benefits, eligibility, and how to apply, check out this brief informational video, or apply directly online.

Housing

The Coordinator of Essential Needs and Community Resources is available to support MCC students who are dealing with homelessness or housing insecurity by connecting them with relevant/available resources in the community. If you are struggling with housing insecurity, email us to request a virtual meeting to explore options/resources that might be available to you. Another great resource is the Facebook Group called UMass Lowell (UML) Student Housing & Rentals. This is a place to connect with other college students (UML students) who are looking for roommates, have rooms to share/sublet, or are looking for an apartment.

Massachusetts COVID-19 Housing

Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)

Tenancy Preservation Program (TPP)
Providing Sustainable Homelessness
To contact TPP directly:
Amy Garner
TPP Director
(508) 438-5656
Tenancy Preservation Program (TPP) is a homelessness prevention program. TPP works with tenants, including families with children with disabilities, facing eviction as a result of lease violations related to a disability (including mental illness) and connects those families with other resources, including but not limited to RAFT. TPP functions as a neutral party to the landlord and tenant. In consultation with the Housing Court Department, TPP works with the property owner and tenant to determine whether the disability can be reasonably accommodated, and the tenancy preserved.

For the Eviction Diversion Initiative there is a temporary COVID Response TPP available to serve a broader range of high-risk households, targeting extremely low-income, seniors and families with children, accessible via HCEC or Court referral.
To find one of 6 regional TPP providers, go to: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/tenancy-preservation-program.

Middlesex Community College Law Center

Community Teamwork (CTI)

Employment/Unemployment

While many part time jobs are currently being cut, there is also an increase in p/t jobs available. For more information, check out these links below. To meet remotely with an MCC career counselor, email us.

Career Shift - A resource to search for company contacts, jobs and additional job search tools.

Fuel Assistance

Many individuals and families qualify for heating fuel assistance, and this is a great way to help reduce your expenses.

Internet Access

In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, many internet providers are offering free internet services to low income households and houses with children.

We hope this is a helpful list! For more information about any of these resources, please email and we will do our best to respond as quickly as possible. In the meantime, stay healthy and safe!

Last Modified: 10/3/24