May 5, 2023

Ramapo College of New Jersey was awarded an additional Hunger-Free Campus Grant from the State of New Jersey, this time for $25,000. The funding’s purpose is to address student hunger, leverage sustainable solutions to address basic food needs on campus and continue building strategic partnerships at the local, state, and national levels to address food insecurity among students. 

Dylan Heffernan, assistant director for the We Care Program and Community Services, is grateful for the support that New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Brian K. Bridges, Ph.D., continues to provide. “The Hunger Free Campus Grant has allowed us to grow the pantry in ways I could only hope to see. The first round of funding allowed the food pantry to provide over 250 bags of fresh produce to students this semester and approximately 1,500 meals in the dining hall. With these additional funds, we’ll be able to do even more to support our students and reduce food insecurity on campus.”

The Ramapo College Food Pantry was developed six years ago to help students who face food insecurity. That effort is one of many student-support resources that reside under the umbrella of the We Care Program, which includes the Emergency Student Relief Fund, Clothing Closet, and Laptop Upcycle @ Ramapo. The additional funding brings the award total to approximately $77,000 and will expand the goals of the Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program by providing healthier choices in our on-campus food pantry, particularly by increasing the amount of fresh food. Earlier this year, Ramapo College received approximately $51,000 from the Hunger-Free Campus Act.

To learn more about Ramapo College, visit ramapo.edu.