The Shop at CCBC: A Pop-Up Holiday Store for Students

December can be a challenging time for community college students. In addition to the pressure of exams, many face financial challenges over the holidays that make it difficult to get gifts for family and friends, not to mention everyday essentials. To address this hardship, a Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) employee devised The Shop at CCBC, a pop-up holiday store that provides students with clothing, goods, toys, and health and beauty products free of charge. College employees volunteer to help collect new or gently used items, set up the holiday store, run the store during open hours, and provide assistance and gift wrapping services for student shoppers. A festive atmosphere with holiday music, decorations, and snacks add to student shoppers’ enjoyment.

Innovator

• Barbara Long-Bonadio, Administrative Support Assistant, Academic and Student Affairs