UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – Three student departments receive $60,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campuses Program (PA Hunger-Free Campuses) to advance student food security efforts across the state I was allowed to.
The grant supports the Student Care and Advocacy, Lions Pantry, and Sustainable Food Systems Programs, which serve students on all Penn State campuses.
“The Fall 2022 Food and Housing Survey found that nearly 15% of University Park students are experiencing food insecurity,” said Leanne Lentz, Associate Director of Student Services and Advocacy.
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“Access to food and other basic needs is critical to academic success and mental and physical health.
Programs like those funded by the PA Hunger-Free Campus Scholarship are equal opportunity Student Care and Advocacy supports students who face unexpected challenges, including those with basic needs.
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The grant will help improve education and access to SNAP and Medicaid, as well as expand the Basic Needs Hub, which provides University Park students with essentials such as hats, gloves and hygiene products.
The grant will support both the Lions Pantry at University Park and the Food Bank at Penn State Commonwealth Campus.
The Sustainable Food Systems Program, which includes the Student Farm, will expand its fresh food programs for students, including Feed the People market stands and free community-supported agriculture shares for students in need.
The grant will also support the Food Recovery Network, which distributes unused food from on-campus restaurants, and Sustainable Food Systems Community Wellness AmeriCorps.
“We are extremely grateful to the Shapiro Administration for the Penn State Hunger-Free Campus Grant, which will help us improve food security in ways that improve accessibility and contribute to overall well-being and success.
“Penn State is also contributing,” Lentz said.
