West Chester, Pa (November 21, 2024) – West Chester University was awarded $60,000 in state funding to address student hunger on campus, state Senator Carolyn Comitta announced.
The funding comes through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Hunger-Free Campus program, which supports colleges and universities that set up or expand free food pantries on campus and take other steps to meet students’ nutritional needs.
“Too many college students do not know where their next meal is coming from and about one-third report missing meals due to food insecurity,” Comitta, who serves on the Senate Education Committee said. “While we continue to work to make higher education more affordable, I hope these investments help ensure that no student must go hungry to get a degree at West Chester University and other colleges and universities across the Commonwealth.”
Based on legislation introduced by Comitta, the Hunger-Free Campus Initiative was established in the 2022-23 state budget and has since allocated $3 million to eligible Pennsylvania postsecondary institutions to fight food insecurity on their campuses.
This funding for West Chester University (WCU) comes as part of nearly $1 million in PA Hunger-Free Campus grants awarded to 31 institutions of higher education and private licensed schools across the Commonwealth.
This is the third cohort of grant awardees since the program’s creation. Grants are awarded to help schools address food insecurity on campus, including expanding access to food options, creating awareness initiatives, and upgrading facilities.
Previously, WCU was awarded $54,000 and $60,000 through the Hunger-Free Campus program.
“The Shapiro Administration has demonstrated its commitment to keeping students of all ages healthy and fed, and the Hunger-Free Campus grants enable postsecondary institutions to expand access to food and critical services on their campuses,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “By sharing best practices and resources, the Hunger-Free Campus coalition is ensuring that learners across the Commonwealth are safe, supported, and cared for while they’re at school.”
Awardees can be found on PDE’s website. Grant funds may be utilized until December 31, 2025.
WCU is a recognized leader in addressing food and basic needs insecurity on campus. All undergraduate and graduate students can access its Resource Pantry, which offers non-perishable food, fresh produce from the campus gardens, personal care items, school supplies, and more.
Last year, WCU’s Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact utilized the grant funds to expand pantry services through online ordering; increase options for students to access food during evening and weekend hours through online order pickup via locker access; increase access to healthy and allergy-friendly food; support the expansion of the Resource Pantry at the WCU Philadelphia location; build upon resources to support students in applying for benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); and increase students’ access to off-campus resources.
To be eligible for grants, Pennsylvania institutions of higher education must receive the Pa Hunger Free Campus designation. Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2024. Apply online.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus Initiative, contact [email protected].
###