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KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 17, 2024

Kennesaw State University is teaming with Kroger to ensure that college students have access to food and other basic necessities, through a partnership that will establish and expand campus resource pantries at nine other universities.

Funded by a gift from the Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, KSU鈥檚 Campus Awareness, Resource and Empowerment (CARE) Services will train staff members at nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Kroger鈥檚 South Region on how to operate and sustain campus food pantries. The participating schools will follow Kennesaw State鈥檚 CARE RoadMap, an interactive training guide for serving and supporting students who have experienced homelessness, foster care and/or food insecurity.

鈥淔ood insecurity is a significant challenge that many college students face, and we can make a difference for students throughout the country by sharing our knowledge and best practices with other schools,鈥� said Lauren Padgett director of CARE Services. 鈥淲e have seen firsthand how beneficial these initiatives are to Kennesaw State students, and we look forward to expanding that meaningful impact.鈥�

In 2021, Kroger鈥檚 Atlanta Division partnered with KSU鈥檚 CARE Services to increase the scope and capacity of the University鈥檚 two campus pantries, donating $50,000 for items including double-wide freezers, refrigerator, shelving units and a mobile kiosk, as well as design assistance.

A major study released in August 2023 by the at the U.S. Department of Education found HBCU students face high levels of food insecurity. According to the study, nearly 2 in 5 undergraduate students at HBCUs (38.8%) report food insecurity.

鈥淭his donation is helping fund support systems to address a very basic need and ensure students at HBCUs do not face hunger alone,鈥� said Felix Turner, corporate affairs manager for Kroger鈥檚 South Region. 鈥淚t furthers our commitment to Kroger鈥檚 Zero Hunger | Zero Waste mission to build a more resilient, equitable and sustainable food system that improves access to affordable, fresh food for everyone.鈥�

Established in 2013, CARE Services provides access to food, temporary housing, and other supportive services to foster students鈥� realization of a healthy, stable, and dignified life academically and professionally. CARE serves approximately 2,200 students per year through programs including one-on-one case management, emergency temporary and long-term housing assistance, food pantries on both the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses, scholarships, and temporary work programs. Kennesaw State鈥檚 CARE Services has been recognized as a National Best Practice Model by the National Center for Homeless Education, National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, and SchoolHouse Connection.

鈥� Story by Darius Goodman

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 色色啦. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.