UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller visited the Lion’s Pantry on Penn Sate's University Park campus on Sept. 17 as part of National Hunger Action Month, which brings attention to chronic hunger and food insecurity issues.
At Penn State, as with college campuses across the nation, food insecurity is an issue for many students. Located in the northeast corner of campus, Lion’s Pantry is a student-run food pantry that aims to combat food insecurity and serve students who may need food or other pantry items.
“Secretary Miller's visit to the Lion's Pantry demonstrates to students that their food insecurity challenges do not go unnoticed,” said Sarah Hohman, Lion’s Pantry communications coordinator. “We remain committed to working with our volunteers and supporters to fight this prevalent issue, and the secretary's visit increases the visibility of the pantry, allowing us to continuously expand our impact.”
Upon arriving, Miller introduced herself to members of the media and other attendees. She was given a full tour of Lion’s Pantry and learned about how Penn State students can access the resources. She praised the diligent and important work done by students running Lion’s Pantry and expressed her hope that other Pennsylvania schools will follow suit.
“We know that higher education doesn’t just benefit the students themselves — it also benefits our communities and Pennsylvania’s economy for years to come,” said Miller. “We want to ensure students have the support they need to be successful. Pursuing higher education should not be a privilege reserved for individuals with disposable incomes, and hunger shouldn’t be what holds someone back from succeeding in higher education and taking steps to invest in their future.”
The Lion’s Pantry is open to any student with a valid Penn State ID. The pantry's main location is open from 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays and is located on Services Road, past East Halls and the Lewis Katz Building, in between Lion Surplus and the Blue Band Building. Students can get to the pantry by using the campus shuttle. Multiple Cub Pantries are also located in offices throughout campus for convenient access to some necessities.
To learn more about or get involved with Lion’s Pantry, visit www.thelionspantry.psu.edu.