Funding & Development
Generous Gift Supports Food Pantry at Wake Tech
RALEIGH, N.C. (December 17, 2024) – During this season of giving, Wake Tech is pleased to announce a generous donation that will provide continued support for students who experience food insecurity.
Dr. Lavanya Nagaraj, a board-certified dermatologist with Blue Ridge Dermatology, and Sharat Nagaraj, a member of the Wake Tech Board of Trustees and founder of Raleigh technology firm Celito, have established the Nagaraj Family Nest Endowment with the Wake Tech Foundation. The endowment will provide a permanent and recurring source of funds for The Nest, Wake Tech's food pantry. The funds will be used to purchase bulk food items.
"We are grateful to Lavanya and Sharat for their kind and generous spirit," said Matt Smith, vice president of Development and Strategic Partnerships at Wake Tech. "Their dedication to Wake Tech and our students will have a lasting legacy."
The Nest seeks to alleviate food insecurity by providing free, accessible food pantries across the college that offer monthly shopping opportunities, nutrition education and connection to community-based resources. Online and in-person ordering options let students build custom orders according to their personal preferences and dietary needs.
"We're honored to support The Nest and Wake Tech's commitment to ensuring students have access to essential resources," the Nagarajs said. "Our hope is that this endowment will contribute to the incredible work already being done to help students succeed."
On average, The Nest serves about 1,000 students each year. It is an integral part of Wake Tech's Care Center, which provides a variety of guidance and resources to help students stay on track to achieve their educational and career goals.
Wake Tech gladly accepts donations of non-perishable goods for The Nest. Monetary donations can be made to the Wake Tech Foundation. Select "Other" under Fund Designation and note "The Nest" in the blank provided.
