Lehigh Times

Millersville University students and faculty joined first lady Frances Wolf and Acting Secretary of Education Eric Hagarty at the university last week to announce the Hunger-Free Campus Initiative. 

An Aug. 4 press release said that this initiative would help students at risk of hunger receive access to free, healthy food on college campuses in Pennsylvania.

“Hunger is a devastating reality affecting too many of Pennsylvania’s postsecondary students as they strive to further their education, and today I am proud to say that, here in Pennsylvania, we are refusing to accept it,” Wolf said. “I invite all of Pennsylvania’s institutions of higher education to apply for the Hunger-Free Campus designation and join their dedicated colleagues in ensuring our students have access to the tools they need to succeed, especially nutritious food.”

The Hunger-Free Campus Initiative and the Hunger-Free Campus+ Initiative are building a coalition of higher education institutions across the Commonwealth. The coalition focuses on hunger and students' basic needs and creates opportunities to connect student-hunger advocates, provide resources and help with grants.

Hagarty said students need access to healthy food so that they can be focused, learn, grow and thrive. He added that many students face barriers.

“The Hunger-Free Campus Initiative empowers Pennsylvania’s colleges and universities to combat hunger on their campuses and provide the resources that students need to continue their education and go on to obtain family-sustaining, meaningful careers,” Hagarty said.

The 2022-23 state budget includes an investment of $1 million for the grant program, which will enhance food pantries, increase outreach for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and improve data gathering. The eligible schools need to have a Hunger-Free Campus designation.

Pennsylvania higher education institutions addressing student hunger can apply for the Hunger-Free Campus designation. Once approved, institutions will receive a certification from the Department of Education, recognition on the website, the initiative’s logo and grant preparation.

“Food insecurity is a threat to student success on college campuses here in Pennsylvania and across the U.S.,” Dr. Daniel A. Wubah, president of Millersville University, said. “It has the potential to impact academics, wellness and behavior, which are factors that have bearing on student retention and graduation rates. At Millersville University, we have a range of programs to help ensure our students don’t go hungry. For instance, Share Meals is a free app that MU students can use to geolocate free meals at MU. And, since 2012 we have worked with Campus Cupboard to provide a food pantry for our students.”