By Danielle Smith
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is tackling student hunger with $1 million in grants for 30 colleges. This initiative aims to fight food insecurity among students, a growing concern. Since its start in 2020, the program has supported 92 schools statewide. Carnegie Mellon University recently received its fourth grant of $60,000.
Elizabeth Vaughan, a key figure in student affairs at Carnegie Mellon, shared that their efforts primarily focus on food programs. A notable feature is the “Meal Swipe” program, which assists students in need. Vaughan explained, “This program allows students to eat at our dining facility and a second site with allergen-free options.”
Under Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania has invested a total of $3 million in these grants over the past three budgets. Schools are getting creative with solutions. Some are offering flexible meal plans that meet SNAP requirements, while others are hosting meal-sharing initiatives and forming community partnerships.
Vaughan highlighted a school pantry that stocks nonperishable food, hygiene items, and fresh produce. The grants will also help assess student needs and provide quick meals. “We’ve partnered with Chartwells to create a frozen meal program, offering ready-to-heat meals that are nutritious,” she said. Most of the pantry’s food comes from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, reflecting the diversity of its student population.
Grant funds will also help repackage bulk food into smaller, more manageable portions. Plans are underway to hold focus groups to better understand student needs. This step is essential as surveys show that over 30% of college students face food insecurity.
These efforts can’t come soon enough. A 2021 survey found that food insecurity rates among college students jumped by 10% compared to previous years. Addressing this issue is not just a local concern but a national imperative, reinforcing the importance of initiatives like Hunger Free Campus.
Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.
