NRCC News

NRCC celebrates record donations to student food pantry: Second Annual Huber Cup

Oct 15 2025

New River Community College faculty, staff, retirees, and board members came together during September for a friendly campuswide competition to support the Campus Cupboard, NRCC’s student food pantry.

Now in its second year, the Huber Cup challenge sparked extraordinary generosity, resulting in the largest single-month collection in the pantry’s history.

“This year’s Huber Cup went far beyond what I could have imagined,” said Jack Watkins, contest organizer and NRCC Student Resources Manager. “When I began planning, I didn’t expect we could surpass last year’s results. But I should have known better than to underestimate the NRCC community.”

The 2025 competition tripled both item and monetary donations compared to last year’s totals. More than 5,000 items were collected, including:

• 156 containers of detergent and dish soap
• 311 bottles of shampoo and conditioner
• 366 boxes and cups of macaroni and cheese
• 512 packs of popcorn
• 558 bottles and bars of soap or body wash
• 970 packs of crackers
• 948 packs of ramen noodles
• Over 1,500 rolls of toilet paper

Other donated goods included canned foods, hygiene products, and laundry detergent as well as diapers and baby wipes to assist NRCC students with young children.

Donors also supported the contest through cash donations, raising nearly $6,000 that the Student Resources Office will use to purchase and replace needed food and hygiene items for the pantry throughout the year.

Throughout the month, the campus was divided into teams competing for the Huber Cup title. The President’s Suite team, which included staff from Human Resources, the Educational Foundation, the President’s Office, and the Office of the Vice President for Instruction and Student Services, along with retirees and board members, claimed this year’s victory.

The competition honors Dr. Pat Huber, NRCC’s most recently retired president, who returned to campus on Oct. 8 to present the trophy to this year’s winning team.

Donations to the Campus Cupboard are accepted year-round to help support NRCC students in need. To contribute or learn more, contact Jack Watkins at jwatkins@nr.edu or make a monetary gift through the NRCC Educational Foundation online by selecting the Food Pantry Fund at www.nr.edu/foundation/giving_ways.php.