PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Neumann University in Aston has joined a growing list of local colleges with food banks for needy students.
“There were students coming to us who didn’t have enough food to eat, who needed food,” said Mary Beth Davis, a mental health counselor at Neumann’s Counseling Center for Wellness. “We’re not setting our students up for success if they’re coming into the classroom hungry.”
Students were simply doing without, said Rina Keller, an assistant professor of social work.
“Many of our students were required to take care of their families, their younger siblings, and work more,” Keller said, “so we really think that they have not been getting what they need.”
According to a 2020 Chegg survey, about one-third of college students said hunger had affected their ability to study.
Together, Davis and Keller founded the Knights’ Pantry, a campus food bank that provides things like cereal, peanut butter and canned meats as well as personal hygiene items.
“Our first major donation was from a faculty member who donated $1,000,” Keller recalled.
The food and toiletries are available to students, no questions asked.
“We’re just asking students to actually scan a QR code. They’ll give their name and the student ID, and that’s all we ask,” Davis said.
Neumann joins other area colleges that offer food banks, including Temple, West Chester and Rowan universities.
There are plans to add a clothing bank to Neumann’s pantry in the spring.
“For students to get business attire for interviewing, for internship opportunities,” said Keller.
The goal is to convert the pantry into a completely student-run initiative.
