Pennsylvania Western University’s pantry program has been named PA Hunger-Free Campuses by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to help combat food insecurities in higher education.  

The PennWest Pantry, with locations at all three campuses of California, Clarion and Edinboro, supports students who may be experiencing hunger or hardship for assorted reasons.  

The Pantry has four locations across the three campuses – Edinboro’s Ghering Health and Wellness Center; Clarion’s Gemmell Student Complex; California’s Natali Student Center, and Vulcan Village in California Borough.

PennWest received the designation as part of the Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus grant initiative.

The initiative includes building a coalition of colleges and universities focused on addressing hunger and other basic needs for their students; creating opportunities for connection among student hunger advocates; supplying resources and strategies for campuses; and supporting opportunities to apply for grants related to addressing food insecurity.  

Statistics from the Department of Education show that one-third of all postsecondary students are at risk of hunger, said Diane Hasbrouck, director of the PennWest Pantry.  

“The designation is part of PennWest’s ongoing mission to address food insecurity for all our students,” said Hasbrouck. “No student, regardless of status, should be at risk of losing their academic status because they are hungry or in need of basics.”

Students seeking aid can apply through my.pennwest.edu by scrolling down to the PennWest Pantry section and selecting the PennWest Pantry link. Students will then be able to select what campus they live on and what supplies and food items they need.  

The Pantry is also accepting donations. Monetary donations can be made online, but non-perishable food items (cereal, soup, microwavable noodles or rice, dried or canned fruit, oatmeal, etc.) and personal care items (toilet paper, hand soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.) are also accepted.

For more information on the Pantry or to schedule a donation, contact Hasbrouck at hasbrouck_d@pennwest.edu.

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