The Lobo Pantry at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, has taken a significant step forward in its mission to combat student food insecurity. The pantry has been honored with a $6,000 Swipe Out Hunger grant, a substantial contribution that will enhance its efforts to provide essential food resources to students in need.
Established in 2020, the Lobo Pantry emerged as a crucial support system for students facing food insecurity, particularly during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was initially funded through various emergency response and relief grants aimed at addressing the immediate impacts of the pandemic on student well-being.
This latest funding boost comes from the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation, in collaboration with Swipe Out Hunger, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending student hunger. The initiative has distributed a total of $421,500 in grants to over 600 campuses nationwide, ensuring students do not have to compromise their education due to food scarcity.
The need for such resources is underscored by recent data from Feeding America, which revealed that Brewster County experienced a food insecurity rate of 14.3 percent in 2021. This rate is alarmingly higher than both the state average of 13.7 percent and the national rate of 10.4 percent.
In the 2022-2023 academic year, the Lobo Pantry served 195 students through its various services, including monthly pantry distribution, grab ‘n go services, and produce distribution days. Notably, over 40 percent of the pantry’s users came from counties with food insecurity rates exceeding even that of Brewster County.
The Lobo Pantry’s efforts reflect a growing recognition of the critical role universities play in addressing food insecurity among their students. This grant will not only bolster the pantry’s resources but also amplify its impact in ensuring that students at Sul Ross State University have consistent access to nutritious food.
For more information about the Lobo Pantry and its services, interested parties can reach out to Katy Williams via email at katy.williams@sulross.edu.
