CCTC receives gift from Leadership South Carolina Class of 2026 to combat student food insecurity

Central Carolina Technical College announced a gift from the Leadership South Carolina Class of 2026 as part of the class's statewide service project, "Tree to Table." The gift to CCTC is part of more than $62,000 raised by the class and distributed across South Carolina's network of technical colleges to address student food insecurity - one of the most significant barriers to student persistence and completion.

This donation will help support the continued efforts of the college's Student Nutritional Access Center Pantry, which provides resources to assist students experiencing food insecurity and other basic needs challenges while pursuing their education.

"With 516 visits, the SNAC food pantry serves as a vital community resource, delivering timely and meaningful support to students and families when they need it most," CCTC President Jennifer Wilbanks said.

SNAC is a food pantry created to assist CCTC students in need of non-perishable food items. Twice per month, students can receive one to two bags of groceries at no cost to them.

Surveys of community and technical college students consistently show that a significant share - often more than one in three - experiences food insecurity at some point during their enrollment. The barrier is felt most acutely by working adults, parents and first-generation students, many of whom are balancing classes and clinicals with the responsibility of supporting themselves and their families. Even a brief disruption in basic needs can derail months of academic progress.

Tree to Table is the class project of the Leadership South Carolina Class of 2026 - a statewide effort to plant 250 trees to commemorate the nation as well as raise money that directly addresses food insecurity for South Carolinians pursuing education and economic mobility. By distributing the money across South Carolina's network of technical colleges, the class is investing in the students whose persistence and completion most directly strengthen the state's workforce.

To learn more about CCTC's Student Nutritional Access Center, visit cctech.edu/snac.

About Leadership South Carolina

Founded in 1979 by the Governor's Office and the South Carolina business community, Leadership South Carolina is the state's oldest and most respected leadership development program. Its mission is to empower talented, highly motivated South Carolinians to strengthen their leadership skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the critical issues shaping the state. The program is comprehensive and statewide in scope, drawing participants from every employment sector, geographic region and demographic group across South Carolina.

Each year, Leadership South Carolina selects 50 to 55 exceptional candidates from a competitive applicant pool to participate in an eight-month Core Program that runs from September through April. Through immersive experiences, expert-led sessions and statewide networking, participants gain the knowledge and relationships to serve on boards and commissions, run for public office and champion the nonprofit causes that make a lasting impact in their communities. Each Leadership South Carolina class also undertakes a class project that channels the cohort's collective resources and reach into a tangible, statewide contribution - a tradition that the Class of 2026 is continuing through Tree to Table. More information is available at leadershipsc.com.