Winona State University has been designated a “Hunger Free Campus,” signifying that the university is taking active steps to support food-insecure students.
In fall 2024, Winona State sponsored a campaign to promote hunger awareness and keep Winona State hunger-free and hosted a Hunger Action Day food drive and fundraiser Oct. 26 at the Warrior Game Day Experience on campus. Attendees were encouraged to donate food items or financial support to help expand the Warrior Cupboard on-campus.
The campaign includes an online fundraising campaign for financial donations to support the Warrior Cupboard. Donate online here. So far in 2024, 168 students have requested assistance from the Warrior Cupboard. In 2023, 221 students received support from the on-campus food shelf.
The Hunger Free Campus designation is a Minnesota initiative for eligible public or nonprofit postsecondary institutions that satisfy the following five criteria designed to ensure that food-insecure students receive necessary support on campus.
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- Winona State operates an on-campus food shelf, The Warrior Cupboard, offering students access to free groceries and essential nutrition.
- Winona State has a Student Food Insecurity Advisory Team that meets at least three times a year to discuss plans of action for reducing food insecurity on campus.
- The university promotes the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which offers financial assistance for grocery purchases. Additionally, an on-campus Basic Needs Coordinator is available to assist students with the paperwork needed to access these benefits.
- The WSU Foundation and Residence Halls provide emergency assistance grants for students facing urgent financial challenges to meet their basic needs. Additionally, the Jack Kane Dining Hall offers a mini meal plan grant, which gives students access to 10 free meals to help get through an emergency.
- Each year, Winona State organizes at least one hunger awareness event to highlight the importance of combatting food insecurity among students.
Alongside the designation, Winona State also received a $25,000 grant from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to support campus efforts toward tackling food insecurity among students.
Funding from the Hunger-Free Campus grant will be used to purchase groceries and enhance equipment for the Warrior Cupboard, as well as to introduce a new initiative to provide free personal care and hygiene products to students.
For more information email Aurea Osgood @aosgood@winona.edu.
