Shapiro Administration: $1 Million Available In Hunger-Free Campus Grant Funding

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today announced the launch of the 2023-2024 PA Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program, with $1 million in funding available to help institutions of higher education (IHE) better serve their school communities.

“One of the best ways we can support our learners is by ensuring their basic needs are met, and that includes addressing food insecurity,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “The colleges and universities engaged in the Hunger-Free Campus Program are demonstrating their commitment to keeping students safe, healthy, and ready to learn, and this funding will help expand their efforts to benefit their campus communities as a whole.”

Interested applications should apply through the eGrants system. Additional information about the grant is available on the Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus Initiative webpage. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 11:59 PM. Award recipients will be notified in December 2023.

Through the 2023-2024 PA Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program, colleges with the PA Hunger-Free Campus or PA Hunger-Free Campus+ designation may apply for competitive funding in an amount up to:

• $20,000 for institutions with 3,000 or fewer learners;
• $40,000 for institutions with 3,001 to 7,000 learners; and
• $60,000 for institutions with 7,001 learners or more.

The PA Hunger-Free Campus Initiative, supported and endorsed by First Lady Lori Shapiro, began in 2022. In his inaugural budget, Governor Josh Shapiro advocated for the continued $1 million to support postsecondary institutions’ efforts in addressing student hunger needs on campus. In 2023-24, the work will continue to build a coalition of colleges and universities focused on addressing hunger and other basic needs for their students; creating opportunities for connection among student hunger advocates; providing resources and strategies for campuses; and supporting opportunities to apply for grants related to addressing food insecurity. Fighting hunger for students at every age is a priority for the Shapiro Administration. That’s why Governor Shapiro advocated for and secured funding in this year’s budget to provide universal free breakfast to 1.7 million K-12 Pennsylvania students.

The PA Hunger-Free Campus Initiative builds a coalition of Pennsylvania institutions focused on addressing hunger and other basic needs for their students, creating opportunities for connection among student hunger advocates, providing resources and strategies for campuses, and supporting opportunities to apply for grants related to addressing food insecurity.

Postsecondary institutions that received a PA Hunger-Free Campus+ designation implemented additional innovative solutions to address student hunger and other basic needs for their campus community in conjunction with demonstrating additional criteria. Examples of these initiatives included offering a variety of meal plans, including an option that provides ten or fewer meals weekly to avoid interfering with SNAP eligibility, creating or implementing meal-sharing programs, educating student leaders on campus to develop student-centered programs, or facilitating innovative community partnerships.