Rosemont College has been named a Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus through a program established by the PA Department of Education and Office of former First Lady Frances Wolf.
“Rosemont College is committed to providing for our students’ basic needs,” said Rosemont President Jim Cawley. “Being designated a PA Hunger-Free Campus will allow us to seek transformative opportunities to enhance how we provide basic resources for our students, which will then improve their quality of life on campus throughout their higher education journey.”
With this designation, Rosemont is now eligible to apply for the PA Hunger-Free Campus grant program to help provide resources to expand our efforts toward positive change by enhancing the food/pantry and clothes closet, establishing partnerships with local community organizations, creating meal-sharing programs, and more.
Most students receive financial aid at Rosemont with more than 50% of the student population having an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $0, and 73% of the Fall 2022 first-year undergraduate class is Pell-eligible.
Campus studies have shown there is also an abundant need for basic resources such as food, clothing, and hygiene products. Rosemont, through its Mission and Ministry Department and now coordinated by the Higher Education and Student Affairs M.Ed Program (HESAA), started a food and toiletries pantry and professional clothes closet program to address these fundamental needs of students as well as some faculty and staff.
According to the PA Department of Education, over one-third of students know someone who dropped out of college due to food insecurity during the pandemic. Approximately 52% of students who faced food or housing insecurity in 2020 did not apply for support because they did not know how. Colleges and universities across the country are taking steps to address these issues so students can focus on their education instead of where to find their next meal.
To advance student food security efforts across the state, the former Pennsylvania Office of the First Lady (Frances Wolf) and the Department of Education (PDE) are piloting the Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus 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; providing resources and strategies for campuses; and supporting opportunities to apply for grants related to addressing food insecurity.
