Fox Assist

Mountain Empire Community College cares about students and wants to help all students reach their goals. Sometimes challenges crop up in life that make it harder for students to be successful. This can include lacking adequate housing or not having enough money for food. It can also include emergencies and unplanned expenses that can derail a student’s academic plan. If you are in need of help, contact foxassist@driiing.com for emergency assistance, food pantry access, and referrals to community resources.

General Resources

Single Stop is an online screening profile that can estimate what supplemental resources (governmental, local, and at MECC) students might be eligible to receive. These may include emergency funds, employment assistance, food and housing needs, and many other services. To complete the Single Stop screener, please visit http://app.singlestop.org/vccs/mountainempirecc. Within 24 hours of completing the screener, someone will contact you for further steps. If you have questions or concerns about this, please contact Christina Fraley at foxassist@driiing.com or at 276-523-9030.

This program is designed to help students stay in college when faced with an unforeseen financial emergency. Through this program, students may receive financial assistance to get them through their emergency. Eligible students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0, not be a first semester student, and be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours. In order to determine eligibility and if need meets approved criteria, students seeking assistance should contact Student Services at studentservices@driiing.com or the Office of Student Services in Holton Hall. Students who apply for Emergency Funds will be referred to Single Stop to ensure they are receiving all benefits possible.

Students needing health insurance can contact Anthem Health Keepers to see if you qualify. Visit www.chooseanthem.com/va, or call or email Misty Lee at 276-696-9306 or misty.lee@anthem.com.

Staff can help you find the resources you need off-campus in areas such as housing support, healthcare, food access and nutrition, childcare, utility assistance, transportation and more. Meet with a staff member by emailing foxassist@driiing.com.

In response to COVID-19 the State Department of Social Services and other State Agencies have put together a mobile resource for people to access the help they need during this time. For more information: covid.virginia.gov.

On-Campus Resources

Students in need of clothing items, should contact Student Services at studentservices@driiing.com or visit the Office of Student Services in Holton Hall.

Hygiene, feminine, and laundry products are stocked in the Fox Food Panty. The food pantry is located in the Office of Student Services in Holton Hall. Stop by Student Services or email studentservices@driiing.com for pickup after the hours of 8:00 am-4:30 pm.

Feminine Products are also stocked in all women’s bathrooms across campus.

MECC’s Fox Food Panty is located in the Office of Student Services in Holton Hall. Students are welcome to come and shop for items. In additional to panty staples, we also have a refrigerator and freezer that are stocked. Students can also come and grab food to eat while they are on campus, including soups, mac and cheese, pastas, hot pockets, corn hogs, and pot pies. There is also a microwave that students can use to heat up their food. Contact Student Services at studentservices@driiing.com to make arrangements to pick up a box after the hours of 8:00 am-4:30 pm.

MECC recognizes that transportation can be an issue for students. Please check out the options below.

  • Mountain Empire Transit is a public transit system serving Lee, Scott and Wise counties and Norton. Buses operate Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m., covering a nearly 1,390-square-mile service area. We offer curb-to-curb service, meaning we have no fixed routes or designated bus stops. Trips are arranged on an individual basis. Anyone can ride Mountain Empire Transit. We provide transportation to people of all ages in our service area. We can provide service to those with wheelchairs, canes and walkers. To schedule a ride, call 276-523-7433 or 1-888-877-6748 at least 24 hours and up to 30 days before you need a ride. Reservations are taken on a first-call basis. You will need to provide your name and location. First-time riders will need to provide additional details.
  • Four County Transit offers transportation to and from college Monday through Thursday. The service is available (day classes only) to registered students during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The bus arrives at the colleges daily by 8:00 am and departs daily at 4:30 pm. College routes only operate while colleges are in session. All college routes are subject to change based on requests received from students needing transportation to and from college. College route fare is FREE for college students and staff/faculty who present college ID. Call (276) 963-1486 for more information.
  • Laptops
    • Laptops are available for loan through the Student Outreach & Success Center! Email collegesuccess@driiing.com or stop by the SOS Center and talk with a College Success Coach to get more information about getting a loaner laptop.
  • Printing
    • Free printing is available for students in the Wampler Library in Robb Hall with their student ID.