Vancouver, Wash. — Washington State University Vancouver’s Cougar Food Pantry was selected to receive donations from the Safeway Foundation’s annual Nourishing Neighbors campaign. The aim is to ensure WSU Vancouver students and their families have access to proper nutrition. Your donations made at checkout at the Washougal Safeway store (3307 Evergreen Blvd., Building 5) through Sept. 30 will be used to provide non-perishable food items for the pantry.
“Every student deserves a healthy start to their day,” said Cougar Food Pantry Coordinator Cyle Malcolm. “Now more than ever, fighting hunger is an imperative in our community. We are delighted to be the charity partner for the Washougal Safeway and thank the Safeway Foundation for its dedication to ensuring no students or families have to start their day hungry.”
The Cougar Food Pantry was founded in fall 2012 when a WSU financial aid system glitch delayed the disbursement of millions of dollars in grants and loans to students. Many students and their families faced the possibility of going without food until their aid came through. Eight years later, the need continues. In a survey conducted in 2019, 36% of WSU Vancouver students reported being food insecure. COVID-19 and subsequent loss of jobs exacerbated the problem for many students in 2020.
About Nourishing Neighbors
Nourishing Neighbors, a charitable program of the Safeway Foundation, is working to eradicate childhood hunger in America. With one in seven children in America not knowing where their next meal will come from, the funds raised in September will be dedicated to local efforts that ensure every child has access to a healthy breakfast.
About WSU Vancouver
As one of six campuses of the WSU system, WSU Vancouver offers big-school resources in a small-school environment. Both in person and online, the university provides affordable, high-quality baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people and communities it serves. As the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington, WSU Vancouver helps drive economic growth through relationships with local businesses and industries, schools and nonprofit organizations.
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MEDIA CONTACT(S) Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communication, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@wsu.edu