Kevin Martinez, 19, is a Prince George's Community College student with a passion for food. He enjoys not only eating food but also exploring unique flavor combinations and nutritional values. In the future, he aspires to make new discoveries by experimenting with food as a food scientist.

"I love the flavors and textures, but also how food nourishes my day," he said.

Martinez's most important connection to food is sharing it with others, ensuring no one goes without a meal. He participates in a federal work study at PGCC's food pantry, the Owl Market, where he spends hours arranging canned goods, collecting data, and preparing care packages for students in need.

"It's important for schools to fill in gaps for food because I believe it is an essential need for everyone, and it should be a basic human right," Martinez said. "I love helping out."

The Owl Market is just one of the ways faculty, staff, students, and the greater Prince George's County community can come together to care for one another through PGCC Cares. The Wellness and Mental Health Center at PGCC provides wraparound support that removes barriers to academic achievement and ensures no student is left behind.

"It's truly an honor to be able to serve every student in need," Danielle LaSure-Bryant, Ed.D., program director of the Wellness and Mental Health Center at PGCC, said. "Colleges are recognizing there's a growing need among students in the area of food insecurity and how that impacts student retention. Research suggests that students who are of lower income and suffer from food insecurity have lower GPAs and are more likely to drop out of college. We are working hard to prevent such outcomes."

Established in August 2022, the Owl Market receives donations from sources including the Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance, a group of Black farmers in Upper Marlboro, and PGCC's own community garden. Since its launch, the market has supported over 4,600 visits and 2,500 student households across three campuses in Largo, Hyattsville (UTC), and Laurel (LCC). In 2025, the Owl Market served more than 1,000 students.

"Year-over-year increases confirm the continuing need for accessible, dignity-based assistance that helps students remain enrolled and succeed academically," LaSure-Bryant said.

The food pantry continues to grow and meet the needs of students. The Wellness and Mental Health Center secured a $50,000 Capital Area Food Bank grant to expand the PGCC Owl Market food pantry. Grant funds paid for new coolers and other supplies, allowing the market to offer fresh refrigerated items such as produce, meat, and dairy products.

In addition to food services, the Wellness and Mental Health Center at PGCC also provides students with access to free diapers and clothing. The Owl's Nest diaper bank assisted an average of 55 families each month. These services provide financial relief to students from low-income families juggling multiple financial responsibilities. With support from PGCC Cares, personal care items like diapers and clothes are one less hindrance to student success.

Therapeutic emotional support services are another impactful student resource offered by the Wellness and Mental Health Center at PGCC. Students can receive up to eight free counseling sessions each semester. LaSure-Bryant notes that anxiety, first-generational student stress, personal responsibility, and gambling are common wellness topics that students seek counseling to address.

The College partnered with Uwill, an online teletherapy solution developed particularly for college students. Uwill removed previous limitations on therapy services at the College from in-person access only to 24/7 access with counselors of diverse backgrounds. Since the program was initiated in August 2024, 156 students have registered for telehealth services, including 33% of these students who received services outside of regular business hours and weekends. LaSure-Bryant estimates that the use of this technology solution significantly boosts the College's capacity to accommodate nearly 3,000 students each academic year.

Since the program was initiated in August 2024, 156 students have registered for telehealth services, including 33% of these students who received services outside of regular business hours and weekends. LaSure-Bryant estimates that the use of this technology solution significantly boosts the College's capacity to accommodate nearly 3,000 students each academic year.

"Our world is so fast-paced; stress and anxiety can really overwhelm us," LaSure-Bryant said. "I think prioritizing our mental health is a powerful act of self-care."

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) launched on PGCC's campus in fall 2024, joining more than 600 affiliates nationwide. NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

PGCC carries a promise to elevate every student. Through programs like the Owl Market and the efforts of caring students like Kevin Martinez, PGCC demonstrates that there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome.