Boeing Apple Cup fans participate in first-ever WSU/UW Food Pantry Challenge

Washington State University Pullman and the University of Washington are harnessing the competitive spirit of the Boeing Apple Cup rivalry to bolster support for their food pantries.

WSU and UW teamed up to create the Apple Cup Food Pantry Challenge where fans of both teams are encouraged to donate to their school's food pantry. The university that receives the largest number of gifts will be crowned the winner. Only monetary donations are being accepted, and can be made online now through game day, Saturday, Sept. 14.

"People love competitions, and this is something I've wanted try since I joined the team in the Center for Civic Engagement," said Merri Lecoq, who manages the Cougar Food Pantry. "While the football game will end with one university winning, in this Food Pantry Challenge, it is the students at both universities that will be the real winners."

This is the first time WSU and UW have collaborated to help fight food insecurity among students, and it has been in the works for months, according to Androu Luzader, a senior majoring in biological and social sciences at WSU. Luzader met Lecoq while working on an independent research project focused on food insecurity, and she invited him to serve on the Cougar Food Pantry Advisory Board. Together, they have been drumming up ways to give the Cougar Food Pantry more visibility and support, believing that the Boeing Apple Cup provides a perfect opportunity.

Food-insecure students are 30% less likely to complete their degree and two times more likely to fall into the lowest 10% of GPAs.

"First, the Apple Cup's name features a food item which provided good incentive," Luzader said. "More importantly, in spite of the longtime rivalry between the two schools, the game provides one of the few times each year that fans from both schools come together as representatives of one state."

Food insecurity, Luzader pointed out, is a state-wide issue, and impacts one in three college students nationally. It can negatively impact academic performance and overall well-being. Food-insecure students are 30% less likely to complete their degree and two times more likely to fall into the lowest 10% of GPAs.

Food pantries, like the Cougar Food Pantry located on the ground floor of the Compton Union Building (CUB), play a critical role in helping students stay focused on their studies. During the summer and fall of 2023, the Cougar Food Pantry served 1,600 unique students, provided 95,000 pounds of food, and received close to 10,000 visits.

Keeping up with the demand has not been easy, Lecoq said. While WSU students provide key support for the Cougar Food Pantry through student fees, Lecoq said there is always a need for more resources.

"Donations made during this challenge will make a tremendous impact on our ability to keep our shelves stocked with nutritious food," Lecoq said. "Just as importantly, I hope this competition helps spread awareness that food insecurity exists on our campuses and our pantries are here to help."