MCC Daily Tribune
A Heartfelt Thank You
I just want to take a moment to say how truly grateful I am for every single person who helped make our Global Gratitude Fest such a beautiful day for our students. This wasn’t just an event — it was a reminder of who we are at MCC. We show up for each other. We give without hesitation. And we believe, deeply, that no student should ever feel alone in meeting their basic needs.
Because of all of you, we were able to fill the kitchens of 167 students and feed 463 people. That’s an incredible impact, and our students felt every bit of it.
To our Downtown staff and faculty — thank you for always stepping up, for supporting our work, and for understanding the realities our students face. You show them every day that they are valued, cared for, and supported.
To Courtney Sprague and the whole Facilities team, and to Nancy Montanaro and the Campus Events crew — thank you for everything you do behind the scenes to make these events possible. You create spaces that feel welcoming, warm, and ready for community, and we truly could not do this work without your constant support and care.
To the Downtown Sodexo team — your kindness and partnership mean so much. You show up for us every single time.
To Global Union and Student Life & Leadership — thank you for creating such a vibrant, joyful celebration. The global food and pie, the incredible entertainment. You brought culture, joy, and warmth to the entire day.
To Ann Bauer, the Downtown TACC, Cinnamon Nolley, and our amazing ACE students — thank you for your steady support of our basic needs work and for always showing up for our students and this campus. Your presence makes a difference every single day.
To Dr. Calvin Gantt, VP and Executive Director of the Downtown Campus — thank you for your leadership, guidance, and for always championing the work we do to care for our students.
To Tiberius and the FYE team — your support, collaboration, and student-centered approach help us create experiences that welcome our students into a community that truly cares for them.
To Foodlink and the Wegmans Charitable Fund — thank you for standing with us in this work. Because of your support, we’re able to meet students’ most essential needs with dignity. We could not do this without you.
And to our generous community members and MCC employees — your donations, your time, your behind-the-scenes support… it all added up. Because of you, we were able to host this event at no cost to the college. Your generosity made the entire day possible.
I am truly grateful to each of you. Our students felt cared for, supported, and uplifted — and that’s what matters most.
Thank you for standing with us and for helping make Downtown a place where belonging isn’t just talked about — it’s lived.
Nicole Meyer
DC Student Engagement
11/21/2025