The grant will help the University to continue to address food insecurity among students and work toward becoming a Hunger-Free Campus.

Centenary University is the recipient of a $19,500 Hunger-Free Campus Grant. Awarded by New Jersey’s Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, the funding’s purpose is to address student hunger, leverage sustainable solutions to address campus food needs, and continue building strategic partnerships to address food insecurity among students. The University was commended for its “commitment to supporting the basic needs of students and fostering innovative ways to combat food insecurity.”

The mission of the University’s Hunger Free Task Force is to eradicate food insecurity in the Centenary community. The primary goal of the task force is to raise awareness of the resources available to the campus community, with the secondary goal being to increase resources needed by the student body. The final goal of the task force is to earn a designation as a Hunger-Free Campus—a goal that will reinforce to students and members of the community that their wellbeing is valued.

“Supporting our students with their most basic and essential needs is vital to their success and wellbeing,” said Kerry Mullins, vice president for student life and dean of students. “Through the generosity of this grant and support from the state, Centenary will be able to take an extensive look at the services currently provided and determine what is further needed to best support our student population.”

According to multiple studies, student food insecurity is an issue on college campuses across the United States, with approximately 20-50 percent of college students experiencing food insecurity. Along with what are considered “traditional” students who live on-campus, many students are adult learners and part-time students, many of whom have families to provide for as well as for themselves—making food insecurity a far-reaching and not always easy to identify issue.

Centenary will use the grant funding to further the mission of the University’s Hunger Free Task Force, expanding upon services already in place. Existing campus resources include a food pantry, swipe out program, and food drives, as well as local resources such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The grant will support the food pantry by enabling the purchase of a new refrigerator for appropriate food storage, as well as increase transportation options so that students will be able to access SNAP benefits at local stores.

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary University’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix provides an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world. The University’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township.