EQT Foundation Grant Helps Fairmont State Combat Food Insecurity

Fairmont State University has been awarded $5,000 in grant funding from the EQT Foundation to upgrade existing on-campus food and hygiene support services for students.

Through this grant, the University's Office of Social Work will enhance and better coordinate a variety of resources available to the campus community related to food insecurity and other basic needs.

The Nest, located in the Falcon Center, is a food bank that provides canned foods, boxed meals, snack items, and hygiene products for students in need. Freddie's Pantry operates as a "blessing box" on campus, or a small, free-standing structure filled with non-perishable foods and hygiene products available to students and community members.

This grant will fund the purchase of food and hygiene products to restock the Nest and Freddie's Pantry with quality supplies for students, including the ability to source fresh produce at more regular intervals. This grant will also be used to purchase reusable tote bags and utility carts. The reusable tote bags will allow students to utilize the food bank in a more sustainable way by returning their bags to the Nest once finished with them. The utility carts will serve as portable food carts placed at varying locations to make supplies within the Nest more accessible.

"Students cannot succeed if they are sitting in class hungry or have other unmet basic needs," said Fairmont State University President Mike Davis. "It is essential that we address the external challenges students may face, like food insecurity. The EQT Foundation's generous gift will allow more students to focus on learning and enjoy their time at Fairmont State, without worrying about their next meal."

Additionally, this project will foster collaboration between these campus services and the Fairmont State University Newman Center. The Newman Center is a Catholic student center serving the Fairmont State community which offers various religious and secular activities for all students during the school year, including at least two free meals per week. This grant will help to coordinate the free meal events.

According to Caitlin Jividen, University Social Worker and project lead for the grant, "This grant will make a significant difference not only for our students here at Fairmont State but for the surrounding community. It allows us to work towards easing the food and basic need insecurities that many individuals are facing. Addressing these needs allows our students to reduce stress and enjoy their time being college students."

By improving the selection of food and hygiene products available, the Office of Social Work and the Office of Student Success intend to minimize some of the reluctance or resistance students might feel toward using food banks. Similarly, by increasing the accessibility and availability of these resources, Jividen and her project team hope to encourage those who need these services to utilize them.

The EQT Foundation aims to fund projects that help communities thrive and develop into healthier, more sustainable regions. Jividen continues, "Our project goes hand in hand with EQT's mission. Our goal is to enhance community health by ensuring that students have access to essential resources so they can focus on their education and personal development. By supporting students' basic needs, the grant helps ensure a more resilient community."