Skip to main content

Pack Essentials

Cameron Morris does the wolfie in his Feed the Pack shirt

Nov 21, 2022

Supporting Feed the Pack Is Supporting the NC State Community

In addition to NC State’s rivalry-week football game against UNC-Chapel Hill, the universities are also took part in their second annual Pantry Bowl — a friendly competition to see which university can rally the most gifts for their campus food pantry. Cameron Morris ’23, outreach coordinator for NC State’s Feed the Pack Food Pantry, shares more about this vital campus resource. 

Exterior of Park Shops in the fall

Oct 4, 2022

“One Is Too Many”: Discussing Student Need with Mike Giancola

Mike Giancola, student ombudsperson and assistant vice provost, discusses Pack Essentials services, student needs at NC State and how private support empowers our students. 

The Wolf Plaza podcast logo.

Aug 22, 2022

Podcast: Pack Essentials With Mike Giancola

On our Season 2 premiere, we’re joined by NC State’s assistant vice provost and student ombudsperson to learn how the university is working to support students in need of food, housing, financial and educational security. 

Esmira Poladova does the wolfie in front of a campus building in her cap and gown

May 12, 2020

Through the Darkness to Shine a Light

To become the first in her family to earn a degree, Esmira Poladova persevered through tragedy and challenges and even became an advocate for other underresourced students. 

students walking across brickyard

Mar 31, 2020

Pack Essentials Aiding Students During Financial Hardships

As the impact of COVID-19 grows, the need for Pack Essentials is greater than ever before. With donor support, Mike Giancola, assistant vice provost and student ombudsperson, and his team have been working hard to help students facing financial challenges due to a sudden loss of income.  

Players Retreat exterior

Nov 12, 2019

A Meal and a Night Out

After learning about food insecurity at NC State, Richard “Gus” Gusler, owner of the landmark Players Retreat restaurant near campus, realized he had been food insecure himself as a student. Now, he's donating Players Retreat gift cards so that students facing food insecurity can participate in social activities with fewer burdens. 

rendering of affordable housing design

Nov 5, 2019

Partnering to Combat Student Housing Insecurity

Grants from the NC State University Foundation are supporting development of a Host Homes Program, which will match students facing homelessness or housing insecurity with members of the community willing to open their homes. At the same time, an interdisciplinary partnership with Professor Tom Barrie in the College of Design is exploring what it might look like to provide housing on or near campus. 

beyond the belltower logo

Oct 1, 2019

Beyond the Belltower: Season 2

Beyond the Bell Tower is a podcast for students enrolled in NC State's TRIO programs, with current students, alumni and community members sharing personal stories to offer guidance. While aid programs help students overcome financial barriers to higher education, TRIO addresses class, social and cultural barriers; although TRIO is federally funded, there are many opportunities for donors to support opportunity for its students. The most recent episode of Beyond the Bell Tower features Khalia Braswell, a 2013 alumna and the CEO and founder of INTech, a nonprofit fostering interest in technology among young girls of color. 

Students with donation bins at Feed the Pack food pantry

Sep 24, 2019

Feed the Pack: Support NC State’s Food Pantry

Feed the Pack, NC State's food pantry, is experiencing low stock. Donations of food or monetary gifts help combat food insecurity throughout the university community. 

Lisa Eberhart and Olivia Chadwick develop recipes for the meal kits focused on wellness and nutrition

Jul 9, 2019

Providing for the Pack

NC State continues making strides to combat food insecurity on campus, from the growing PACK Meal Share program to the addition of meal kits in the Feed the Pack Food Pantry. The efforts dovetail with the collaborative efforts of partners including the Division of Academic and Student Affairs and NC State Dining to create Pack Essentials, a means for meeting students’ needs for housing, food and financial services.