Huskies Food Pantry is open weekdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for all students to access.
With the aid of a $15,000 matching gift challenge from Russ Hagen ’64, the Huskies community of alumni, employees and friends responded with overwhelming gift support for students struggling with economic hardship in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 600 donors have stepped up already to make gifts totaling more than $100,000 in support of the Huskies Food Pantry and the Student Emergency Fund.
Learn more
Those donations are being put to use already by students experiencing need as layoffs in the hospitality, retail and service sector have become a reality for many.
The Student Emergency Fund has received more than 50 applications since its launch earlier this month and has provided grants to help students with rent, essential utilities and medical expenses.
The Huskies Food Pantry has served almost 300 students through more than 500 visits since it opened in January. Almost 300 visits have occurred since April with 160 of the students being new users of the pantry. The pantry has distributed more than 4,000 pounds of food and distributed more than 1,000 tickets to Garvey Commons. Donations for the pantry allow it to purchase food through Second Harvest Heartland.
Monetary donations for both efforts are still being collected. Physical donations of food or personal care items can be donated at the Huskies Food Pantry in the Atwood Memorial Center Mississippi Room during open hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
