"That’s how a community works": Student helps food drive break records

Noga shopping in the SHARE market Published December 09, 2025

Food insecurity is often a silent struggle, but this semester, the College of Lake County (CLC) community responded with a loud message of support.

The Feed the Need food drive at Illinois community colleges has become a testament to the power of empathy, surpassing every goal set by organizers to ensure students have the resources they need to thrive. The drive addresses a quiet but pervasive struggle, as recent studies estimate that up to 39% of community college students nationwide face uncertainty about where their next meal will come from.

CLC originally hoped to collect 2,025 items for the SHARE Market, an on-campus resource where students can access free essentials like snacks, school supplies, personal hygiene products and more. That goal was quickly met, and a new target of 5,000 items was set. Through the kindness of students, faculty, staff and community members, even that number was exceeded. By the end of the collection time, the drive will have gathered over 9,000 items, over six times the amount collected during last year’s drive.

While the effort was a collective triumph, one student’s personal mission played a pivotal role. Tarin Noga, a CLC student pursuing a nursing degree, mobilized her network to donate 850 items, contributing a remarkable 10% of the drive's total collection.

"Tarin was the largest individual donor to the drive this year," said Director of Academic Student Success Dr. Eric Tammes, who helps make sure the market has the things it needs. "We couldn’t have reached what we did without her support."

Noga’s contribution was driven by a deep sense of connection. She spent over 20 years as a cosmetologist, making people feel seen and cared for.

"I got into cosmetology because I’m a talker, I love art and I love making people feel good about themselves," Noga said. "There’s nothing like seeing someone’s whole mood change after a haircut."

However, as she grew older and reflected on the early loss of her father, Noga decided to pursue a dream she had once found intimidating: nursing. She returned to the classroom as an adult student with a renewed sense of purpose, reminding herself that it’s never too late to do what you were meant to do. It was during a tour of CLC that she learned about the SHARE Market and the reality of hunger on campus.

"I’m a student now juggling school, work and life. I’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming it can be," Noga explained. "Food is a basic need, and if someone is hungry, they can’t focus on anatomy terms or chemistry equations."

The SHARE Market provides free, supplemental food to students, offering a safety net that helps them stay focused on their education rather than their next meal.

"At any point in their education, students might find that they need some extra assistance, and the market provides that support in an easy-to-access format," Tammes explained. "We are grateful to our donors and community partners who help keep the SHARE Market stocked."

The impact of these donations is immediate and deeply felt. In a recent fall survey, students who utilized the market shared their gratitude anonymously:

  • "I just want to say thank you for doing what you all are doing and helping me out so much."
  • "I am very grateful that the College provides the SHARE Market, because it truly helps students who may be struggling. It is a wonderful resource."
  • "Thank you for providing such services and for helping others. Please remember that sometimes we all need assistance."

For Noga, the drive was more than just filling boxes; it was about building a culture of care. Her friends, former clients and neighbors rallied behind her, many expressing gratitude for the opportunity to help students who reminded them of themselves.

"It wasn’t just a fundraiser – it felt like a community moment," Noga said.

She is passionate about normalizing the need for help, noting that food insecurity often affects the student sitting next to you in class who skipped breakfast, the single parent stretching gas money or the student choosing between a lab manual and dinner.

"Food insecurity is silent, but it’s everywhere. There is zero shame in needing help," Noga said. "The SHARE Market exists because students deserve dignity, support and a fair chance at success."

Noga hopes to make this a recurring project to keep the shelves stocked year-round. Her message to the CLC community echoes the spirit of the drive: "If you’re able to give, please give. If you need help, please take it. That’s how a community works."

How you can help:

Items to be donated loaded up in the back of a pickup truck

Noga posing with boxes of items to be donated