State Grant to Help Expand Spartan Food Pantry and Fight Student Food Insecurity on Campus

After receiving a $40,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, York College is making big plans to improve the Spartan Food Pantry and extend their reach in helping students struggling with food insecurity on campus.

Thanks to the state’s and York College of Pennsylvania’s determination to end student hunger and insecurity, the Pennsylvania Department of Education recently awarded York College a $40,000 grant as part of the Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus Initiative, presenting them with an opportunity to make a meaningful change for their on-campus students.

The Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus Initiative addresses issues related to students experiencing food insecurity, resulting in them dropping out of college or being unaware of how to apply for support. Food insecurity should never be a barrier preventing students from learning, so the program would help ensure students wouldn’t have to choose between pursuing an education or paying for their next meal.

“At York College, we recognize that student success extends beyond the classroom, and addressing basic needs like food security is essential for our students' well-being,” Dr. Thomas Burns, President of York College, said. “This funding will help the pantry grow and evolve, adapting to the changing needs of our community. We are committed to ensuring that our students have the resources they need to thrive, both academically and personally.”

The program began in 2022 and since then, it has continued to build a large base of support between Pennsylvania colleges and universities. Together, they have created connections between student hunger advocates, provided resources and strategies for campuses, and applied for grant opportunities related to solving student food insecurity.

Governor Josh Shapiro has advocated for and secured $1,000,000 to support colleges’ and universities’ endeavors to end student hunger on their campuses. Schools were encouraged to apply for designations and funds to help them in their fight against food insecurity, and many were given grants as a result.

York College became one of many colleges to do so, and now, they have acquired a $40,000 grant that they will use toward improving the Spartan Food Pantry and addressing issues related to food insecurity on campus.

The Spartan Food Pantry

The Spartan Food Pantry supports students experiencing food or basic needs insecurity by providing them with supplies. These include non-perishable food items, microwavable meal options, and personal hygiene products, all free of charge.

The pantry is managed by the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion (SDI) and supported by donations from the YCP community and the Yohn Fund which was established by the generosity of a donor to YCP. These can either be made in-person, purchased online from the pantry’s Amazon Wishlist, or gifted as a monetary donation.

The SDI Office ensures that making an appointment to use the pantry is easy and accessible to anyone who needs it, all while protecting privacy. Regardless of how many items a student needs or how frequently they visit the pantry, students are welcomed to come by the office to make an appointment or even use the QR code on the fliers they provide.

And it’s not just meal items and toiletries that are needed. Sometimes, students utilize the Quick Pick option to grab something small to eat in between classes. Other times, they can see if any books or school supplies like folders and binders have been donated. The food pantry even allows students to borrow a cap and gown for their graduation ceremony should they need one.

Yenifer Castillo '25, a senior Pre-Med Track Medical Humanities Major with a Biology Minor, has seen first-hand how much of an impact the pantry has made on students. Through her work study with the SDI Office, Yenifer has helped students make appointments and shown them how to use the pantry. She has even assisted in buying and picking up new items York College community members have donated or have provided money for to restock the food pantry.

As someone who came from a low-income household and has seen first-hand how much food insecurity can affect others, Yenifer says she is happy to see how the College has made meaningful contributions to addressing it and that she could be a part of that change. Even being a resource outside of the SDI Office that students can come to and ask more about the pantry has given her hope that more awareness and action is being taken to prevent the issue from becoming a taboo topic.

“It’s nice because I think that food insecurity is something that isn’t really talked a lot about, especially with campus students,” Yenifer said. “Students do need food, and it’s a source of energy. And I feel like if we don’t have that, then it’s harder to focus in classes because we don’t have enough energy to sustain ourselves. So it’s nice to know that if anything, there is this kind of resource there available to us. And it also makes reaching out for help a little easier too, and it doesn’t make it feel overwhelming.”

Improvements for the Future

Thanks to the generosity of the $40,000 grant, York College has begun planning ways to improve the Spartan Food Pantry and provide more resources to students.

The SDI Office has recorded an estimated rise in students, with a 57% increase of students accessing the food pantry from 2022-2024. In 2021-2022, 70 students went to the pantry, and 2023-2024, the number rose to 110. Currently, the College is averaging about 40 shopping appointments per month while school is in session, and this semester alone, they have seen around 80 Quick Pick visits.

These numbers were more than reason enough for the food pantry to find ways of expanding their ability to provide students with what they need. 

Of course, bulk buying items that run out the fastest and are most needed, like laundry detergent and toilet paper, would be greatly appreciated, but being able to purchase highly requested items not commonly available in the pantry are nice as well. While providing for the students’ needs should always be a top priority, having the ability to provide “wants” can make a difference too.

There are other plans that the College wishes to put into effect with the grant money. Some of these include:

• Buying two refrigerator units to store campus-grown produce, as well as beverages
• Buying and displaying sealed containers for grains and other nutritional items
• Offering discounted meals for students in dining halls
• Educating and promoting SNAP benefits
• Partnering with YCP Farmer’s Markets and the York Food Bank

Having the chance to not only provide the space and conditions necessary for fresh, frozen, and organic/healthier options, but to raise more awareness of food insecurity will be a tremendous step forward for the College. 

“It is our goal to create an inclusive and healthy environment for our students across campus, of all backgrounds,” Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion Director Alex Hernández-Siegel said. 

“I’m just excited to see what the Office is going to do with the grant money and how it’s going to help the students,” Yenifer said. “Because I know that Alex works so hard to help the students and just making sure everyone is doing okay here on campus, so I’m just really excited to see how he’s going to be able to do that on campus. He’s already done a really great job making it a more welcoming community for the students.”

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about or making an appointment to use the Spartan Food Pantry, be sure to stop by the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion or visit their webpage on the YCP website.