Mercyhurst nets grant to fight food insecurity on campus

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Office announced today that Mercyhurst University has earned a $20,000 grant aimed at eliminating food insecurity on campus. Designated a “Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus” by the state Department of Education in November, Mercyhurst joins 28 institutions of higher learning in sharing the $1 million allocation and is the only recipient in Erie County.

Consistent with its Mercy Mission, Mercyhurst maintains a food panty for students to access nonperishable food and hygiene items. It also participates in the national Swipe Out Hunger campaign that enables students and employees with extra meal swipes on their dining cards to donate them to students in need. In addition, the Mercy Market is available for students lacking access to necessities, unable to afford new books every semester, and/or in need of professional wardrobe items.

The initiatives are operated under the auspices of the Office of Mission and involve efforts by the One-Card and Community Engagement offices in collaboration with the university’s food service provider, Parkhurst Dining.

In a news release, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said, “With more than a third of students knowing someone who dropped out of college due to food insecurity during the pandemic, hunger affects far too many post-secondary students across the nation.”

Gov. Wolf continued to explain how the program gives Pennsylvania’s colleges and universities the tools they need to combat hunger on their campuses and provide students with access to healthy food so they can stay focused, learn, and grow.