Student Services Spotlight: The Hawks’ Nest
This article is part of a series highlighting our Student Services offices and what they can do for you. For information about all HFC student services, please visit the Student Services section of our website.
The Hawks’ Nest is our on-campus student food pantry, which serves every registered student at HFC who needs food or personal items assistance. No proof of need is required. The only requirement is that you are registered for at least one credit hour at the College. You may visit the food pantry up to two times per month.
The Hawks’ Nest, in Room L-138 on the first floor of the Andrew A. Mazzara Administrative Services & Conference Center (Building L on the main campus), is open during fall and winter semesters on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may drop in or make an appointment at your convenience. The hours vary during the summer semester, so we recommend that you contact the Hawks’ Nest for updated information.
How to get started: register online (recommended, not required)
The Hawks’ Nest is open to any student enrolled in at least one credit hour at HFC. The Hawks’ Nest team will send you an online registration form to complete prior to your first visit of each semester.
If you are visiting the Hawks’ Nest for the first time, please bring:
- Your course schedule for the current semester (which can be presented in-person or via email)
- Your HFC student ID card
Each time you make an appointment, you will receive an online order form to select your food and personal care items.
How to receive food and personal care items
1. Make an appointment
Please make an appointment by emailing hawksnest@hawkmail.hfcc.edu. You will need to complete an order form at least one hour before the time of your appointment.
2. Walk-ins are welcome
Although we recommend that you make an appointment, walk-ins are welcome during regular business hours.
Help students by donating
The Hawks’ Nest provides a wide variety of non-perishable food and personal care items. We rely on donations to run the Hawks' Nest! All donations directly help students. Please consider making a donation of food and personal care items. Contact Kayla Collins, krcollins3@hfcc.edu for information about making a donation of non-perishable food or personal items.
Donation drives on campus take place during the fall and winter semesters.
Food donations
Here is a list of what the Hawks’ Nest needs and how to donate. We also accept reusable canvas bags. During the winter months, the Hawks’ Nest accepts new hats, gloves, and scarves.
Contact hawksnest@hfcc.edu for information about making a donation of non-perishable food or personal items at any time.
The Hawks’ Nest is only able to accept non-perishable food items and personal care/hygiene items. All items must be new, unexpired, and unopened. All food items should be at least two months prior to their published expiration date. Please do not donate expired food items, as they have to be discarded, which requires extra work for our volunteers.
Monetary donations
Monetary donations are also accepted. You have the option to make a monetary donation online through the HFC Foundation. Be sure to select the Hawks’ Nest when donating. Monetary donations are tax-deductible. HFC will provide a receipt.
Hawks’ Nest background
In 2015, the College administration became aware that some students were struggling with food insecurity. The response was to create an accessible on-campus resource to help provide food assistance and personal items. A space was identified that would allow students to visit the food pantry in a private, secure setting.
The Hawks’ Nest has been an active presence at HFC since it opened in 2016. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Hawks’ Nest has provided a lot of assistance for our students
- Hundreds of students helped
- 25,000 pounds of food donated
- 6,600 personal hygiene items donated
- 400 reusable bags donated
For questions or more information about the Hawks’ Nest, contact Kayla Collins at 313-317-6529 or hawksnest@hawkmail.hfcc.edu.