The Central Penn College pantry summer food drive
By Paul Miller
Knightly News Co-Adviser
The Central Penn College Pantry will be running a food drive, taking place from Aug. 18 – Sept. 17, to address a limited supply of items for students who request services.
The food drive, spearheaded by Knightly News Vice President Hannah Pasquarella, addresses the growing demand for food among students at Central Penn College.
The food drive is looking for a variety of items, including non-perishable food items, pasta/pasta sauces and snacks. But the Central Penn College Pantry also offers other items to students, such as cleaning supplies, personal care items, and school supplies.
To donate your items, there are two drop-off locations: one in the ATEC Lobby next to the Knight’s Keep and one in Bollinger Hall near the mailroom.
Most importantly, the College Pantry assists all students of Central Penn College, not just residential students. Commuters, evening students, and online students are all eligible to use the pantry.
Food insecurity is nothing new on college campuses. According to a 2024 survey by The Hope Center:
- 41% of students faced food insecurity within the past month.
- 38% of students at four-year institutions experienced food insecurity.
- Only 44% of students reported consistent access to adequate food, highlighting that over half struggled with meal reliability.
- 59% experienced at least one form of basic needs insecurity—including food or housing—over the past year.
One issue the pantry has experienced is with expiration dates on donated items. While the pantry greatly appreciates all items that are donated, it is crucial for those donating to ensure that the items are not out of date.
For additional information or with questions, you can reach out to Pasquarella at [email protected].
