Wilkes University Named a Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus

Wilkes University Named a Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus

The Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus Initiative has named Wilkes University as a designated PA Hunger-Free Campus. The program, which launched in 2022, consists of a coalition of colleges and universities focused on addressing hunger and other basic needs for students while creating opportunities for connection among student hunger advocates. The program also includes resources and strategies for campuses to address food insecurity through grants and other initiatives.

"Admitting that food insecurity exists on college campuses can be really uncomfortable - it's a hard conversation to have, but it's one that has to be discussed," said Catie Becker, director of civic engagement at Wilkes. "This designation means that Wilkes, as a campus, has invested time and resources into taking care of our students as people first, to make sure they have one of their most basic needs met, and will allow us to expand the services being offered."

To receive the designation, institutions must demonstrate methods that connect students directly to food options and have strategies in place to increase awareness of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) for eligible students. Additionally, qualifying institutions must have task forces in place that address student needs and will collect and report data on food insecurity.

Wilkes does this through the Colonel's Cupboard, a free and confidential community pantry available to any students, staff or faculty in need of extra assistance. "Nearly 3.9 million college students are dealing with food insecurity and offering services like the Colonel's Cupboard allows us to provide students with goods that make it just a little easier for them to focus on school instead of where their next meal is coming from," said Becker.

The pantry, which operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located in the Center for Career Development and Internships at 236 S. River Street near the Henry Student Center. It offers food, personal care and household items, including snacks, non-perishable pantry items, refrigerated and frozen foods, and toiletries. An extension for the Colonel's Cupboard is also available in the Max Roth Center at 215 S. Franklin Street. For the convenience and privacy of community members, the Colonel's Cupboard offers online ordering with discreet pick up of items through campus mail.

Throughout the year, the Office of Civic Engagement also addresses food insecurity by hosting produce popups in partnership with the Weinberg Food Bank and the Bonner Leader program where fresh foods are made available to the campus community free of charge in the Henry Student Center.

To receive a PA Hunger-Free+ designation, which Wilkes University holds, institutions may offer additional initiatives such as meal-sharing programs, a variety of meal plans, education on student-centered programming and community partnerships.

"I'm incredibly grateful to the students that have shared their stories and walked classmates over to the Cupboard because it means that we're slowly reducing that stigma on campus around what it looks like to be food insecure," said Becker.

To learn more about the Colonel's Cupboard, including how to make a donation, visit our website or contact [email protected]. To learn more about the PA Hunger-Free Campus Initiative, visit the program's website.