Lackawanna College Receives $2,000 M&T Bank Grant for Nourishing Neighbors
Lackawanna College has received a $2,000 grant from M&T Bank to support Nourishing Neighbors, a community service program that connects the College’s culinary department and Police Academy to address food insecurity among local families in Scranton.
How Nourishing Neighbors Works
The program works through collaboration across the College community. Culinary students prepare nutritious meals for pre-selected area families, while volunteers from Lackawanna College and local school districts help package and deliver the food alongside Police Academy cadets. Beyond feeding families in need, the program is designed to build trust between law enforcement and local residents. The Scranton Counseling Center refers families to the College to participate.
“Programs like Nourishing Neighbors give cadets a perspective they don’t always get in a traditional classroom setting. They see the challenges families are facing up close, and they realize that policing isn’t just about reacting to crime; it’s also about public service and building cooperation. The program humanizes law enforcement for citizens, who may only have contact with a police officer when something traumatic happens in their lives,” said Mahoney.
A Growing Program
Since its launch, Nourishing Neighbors has grown steadily. Volunteer hours increased 80 percent year-over-year, from 100 hours in Spring 2024 to 180 hours in Spring 2025. The number of families served rose 36 percent over the same period, from 16 families in 2024 to 25 in 2025. Over four years, the program increased its annual total number of meals delivered by 36 percent, from 400 meals in Spring 2021 to 630 meals in Spring 2025.
“Food prices can rise and fall, but thanks to M&T Bank’s support, we can still provide fully prepared, home-cooked meals to residents in need in our community,” said Bauman. “Our culinary students can continue preparing the full range of meals they need to learn and nothing gets pulled from the menu due to cost. It means we can give students a complete culinary education while still producing great meals for those in need.”
Looking Ahead in 2026
For the remainder of 2026, Lackawanna College aims to provide 650 meals, grow community awareness of the program, and expand its volunteer base among College staff and students. The College also plans to develop a Recipe & Resource binder for participating families, with practical information on healthy cooking and nutrition.
Lackawanna College is proud to support Pilotta as she represents the institution at one of the world’s biggest sporting events. This opportunity reflects the college’s commitment to providing students with real-world experiences that complement their academic programs and help prepare them for successful careers in their chosen fields.