University addresses food insecurity to keep students focused on their studies
Chicago State University opened a food pantry to assist students and their families. The food pantry is a part of the university’s Student Affairs division, designed to support student success and advance learning by providing supplemental resources. The university is partnering with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago’s food bank, to operate the pantry, which will be open once a week.
“Food insecurity is an issue of equity and effects many students around the nation”, said Zaldwaynaka Scott, Esq., President of Chicago State University. “We don’t want our students to choose between buying books and food; we want to keep them focused on their studies and eliminate barriers to degree completion”.
The CSU Food Pantry is just one of the student services provided by the university to ensure student success. Chicago State also has a Counseling Center, Women’s Resource Center, Latino Resource Center, African American Male Resource Center, Career Development Center and an Abilities Office for students with disabilities.
In 2018, 67 percent of CSU students identified as low income on their FAFSA (Federal Aid Financial Student Assistance) application. That same year, the University’s Women’s Resource Center helped close to 70 students struggling with housing and food challenges.
The grand opening took place for Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019 in the Cordell Reed Student Union Building.
“We’re proud to partner with Chicago State University to open this pantry to help students and staff facing hunger,” said Kate Maehr, the Food Depository’s executive director and CEO. “A healthy, hopeful community begins with food.”
For more information, call the Women’s Resource Center at 773-995-4447 or email wrc@csu.edu.
The food pantry will be open 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays.
