Through a collaboration with nonprofit Swipe Out Hunger, MBU secured a $7,000 grant for its Campus Cupboard from The Giant Company, the parent company of Staunton’s local MARTIN’S supermarket.
Mary Baldwin’s Campus Cupboard first opened its doors in the fall of 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic at a time when affordable access to food was more important than ever.
The Campus Cupboard’s mission to provide students and staff members in need with free access to nutritious food and other essentials aligns perfectly with the mission of Swipe Out Hunger. According to the nonprofit’s research, “one in three college students faces food insecurity nationally, affecting their ability to focus in class, stay in school, and feel part of the campus community.”
What is Swipe Out Hunger?
Swipe Out Hunger is the leading national nonprofit committed to ending college student hunger. Swipe Out Hunger collaborates with colleges and universities to promote on-campus solutions, policy and advocacy, and community building practices to address students impacted by food insecurity. Since 2010, Swipe Out Hunger has enabled 6.8 million meals across more than 750 campuses in all 50 states and Canada.
By working with Swipe Out Hunger, Mary Baldwin joins more than 600 college campuses across the country committed to addressing needs for every student. MBU is the 13th college in Virginia to partner with Swipe Out Hunger to enhance its campus pantry, joining the ranks of James Madison University, William & Mary, Virginia Commonwealth University, and others.
Mary Baldwin’s Campus Cupboard is proud to operate on a “totally-free, no questions asked,” basis to help alleviate the stigma associated with accessing food pantries and charitable assistance in general.
With this grant, the Campus Cupboard will continue to provide access to quality food for students and staff. Currently, the Cupboard features a deep freezer and commercial refrigerator, but the Office of Student Engagement hopes to expand its offerings beyond frozen and shelf-stable groceries in the future.