Trident Technical College (TTC) announced a gift of $3,905 from the Leadership South Carolina Class of 2026 as part of the class’s statewide service project, “Tree to Table.” The gift to TTC is part of more than $62,000 raised by the class and distributed across South Carolina’s network of technical colleges to address student food insecurity —one of the most significant barriers to student persistence and completion.
At Trident Technical College, the funds will support the TTC Grocery Vault located at the Palmer Campus in downtown Charleston. Clients do not need to provide any financial information. The Grocery Vault is open to all in the TTC community, with pickup points on other campuses. The investment will directly benefit students enrolled in programs such as nursing; health and personal services; and maintenance and technical trades who are working toward credentials that will change their economic trajectory.
“We are deeply grateful for this financial support, which allows us to strengthen our response to student food insecurity," said Amy Hudock, Ph.D., assistant vice president, dean of TTC Palmer Campus. "By nourishing students, we are supporting not only their academic success, but also their families, our communities and our local economy. Last year alone, we distributed more than 37,000 pounds of food from the Lowcountry Food Bank. These funds will enable us to reach even more students and make an even greater impact.”
Surveys of community and technical college students consistently show that a significant share — often more than one in three — experience food insecurity at some point during their enrollment. The barrier is felt most acutely by working adults, parents and first-generation students, many of whom are balancing classes and clinicals with the responsibility of supporting themselves and their families. Even a brief disruption in basic needs can derail months of academic progress.
“Tree to Table” is the class project of the Leadership South Carolina Class of 2026, a statewide effort to plant 250 trees to commemorate the nation as well as raise funds that directly address food insecurity for South Carolinians pursuing education and economic mobility. By distributing the funds across South Carolina’s network of technical colleges, the class is investing in the students whose persistence and completion most directly strengthen the state’s workforce.
“Through their project ‘Tree to Table,’ Leadership South Carolina’s Class of 2026 brought people together to invest in our state," Jody Jernigan, executive director of Leadership South Carolina. "The project strengthened our state parks while supporting technical college students facing food insecurity across South Carolina, reflecting who we are and creating lasting opportunity. We invite those who are passionate about South Carolina’s future to get involved with Leadership South Carolina and be part of this important work.”