Penn State recently received a $60,000 grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s “Hunger-Free Campus” initiative to increase campus food security. The initiative aims to confront and help reduce student hunger across the state of Pennsylvania.

In the fall 2022 semester, Penn State received the title of “Hunger-Free Campus,” a designation given to the university based on its many efforts to address student hunger. These include the Student Emergency Fund, the Lion’s Pantry, and the Food and Housing Needs Survey, which helped to identify areas in which students needed resources the most.

After being given the “Hunger-Free Campus” title, Penn State was given the opportunity to apply for a grant that would allow it to further its efforts in combatting student hunger.

The grant’s funds will be managed by the Penn State WeCare Anti-Poverty project, which was launched in collaboration with the Student Care and Advocacy Office, Students United Against Poverty, and the Lion’s Pantry.

The Penn State WeCare Anti-Poverty project will focus on four initiatives.

• Basic Needs Hub in Student Care and Advocacy — This will be an office dedicated to stocking items that are basic necessities for any student in need. The Basic Needs Hub, located in Boucke 222, will provide things such as clothing, school supplies, and basic hygiene needs.
• Student Care and Advocacy Interns — Student interns will be hired in order to assist with student-to-student support for students who may be cautious about asking for help. The interns will be focused on assessing on-campus and local resources in order to help students navigate where they can ask for help. The interns also provide federal aid program assistance.
• Commonwealth Campus Emergency Meal Initiative — This branch will purchase gift cards that will be distributed to Commonwealth Campuses around the state. The Office of Student Affairs will help to donate these cards to students facing the food security crisis.
• Expansion of Penn State’s food pantry system — The Lion’s Pantry and other organizations will help to diversify their donation lists to include perishable items as well as provide a variety of foods.

Najee Rodriguez is the executive director of Students United Against Poverty and is an undergraduate student at Penn State.

“The mutual partnership established between administration and students allowed us to play a role in an issue that affected us, which made us feel heard and appreciated,” Rodriguez said.

The Student Care and Advocacy Office and the Lion’s Pantry teamed up with Rodriguez and Students United Against Poverty to apply for the $60,000 grant. For more resources involving food security, visit the Penn State Student Affairs website.