West Chester >> West Chester University celebrated a new, permanent home for its Resource Pantry, which was created one year ago for a growing number of students who demonstrate need for basic essentials, including food. The pantry, which had to be relocated due to its increased use by students experiencing financial challenges, now has expanded space, fresh food from the university’s two gardens, and business attire services. A ribbon-cutting ceremony held on campus Friday celebrated the pantry’s new space in Commonwealth Hall. Among those cutting the ribbon were: WCU President Christopher Fiorentino; Lightening the Load Foundation representatives; WCU Executive Vice President and Provost Laurie Bernotsky; Chester County Food Bank Director of Agency & Community Partnerships Phoebe Kitson Davis; WCU Vice President for Student Affairs Zeb Davenport; WCU Assistant Director of Financial Aid Tori Nuccio; and WCU Director of Service Learning & Volunteer Programs Jodi Roth-Saks.
“West Chester University is committed to the success of all of its students,” said Fiorentino. “We have students who are trying to earn a college degree, and not having enough food has been hindering them. Today, we have a Resource Pantry that has a home on campus thanks to a number of individuals, and we are truly grateful for the outpouring of support that will benefit many students.”
Prior to the recent move to Commonwealth Hall, the one-year-old Resource Pantry was located in a compact space in Lawrence Hall, which it quickly outgrew. Since the start of classes this fall, 131 visits to the Resource Pantry have been made by students needing basic essentials.
Following the ceremony, Resource Pantry Student Ambassadors gave guests tours of the new space that now accommodates a kitchen, room for toiletries and school supplies, registration space for students, and even an area where donated desktop computers can be provided.
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The Resource Pantry is also celebrating a new partnership this year. Students are now able to take advantage of a business attire service designed to empower women in need through the donation of professional clothing. On a biweekly basis, WCU Resource Pantry staff now transport students to Wings for Success, a local nonprofit organization, for consultations with professional stylists who coordinate business-savvy ensembles free of charge for their WCU student clients.
The Resource Pantry resides within the Office of Service Learning & Volunteer Programs, and is supported by the Office of Financial Aid, Office of Student Affairs, and very generous donors through the WCU Foundation. More information about the Resource Pantry can be found at www.wcupa.edu/pantry.
Enrolling more than 17,000 students, West Chester University is the largest member of the 14-institution Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Founded in 1871, the university is a comprehensive public institution, offering 118 undergraduate programs, 103 master’s degree and four doctoral programs in more than 50 fields of study.
