Husky Hunger Initiative Food Pantry

College Hunger is a growing concern across the United States. The Husky Hunger Initiative is a University of Southern Maine student group dedicated to ending hunger in the USM community.  Our primary activities are the operation of an on-campus food pantry, as well as the recovery of baked-goods from nearby businesses and their redistribution to students in the form of a free breakfast.

Our pantry started out small, as just a single shelf in the University's Wellness Center with grab and go foods to be eaten between classes. We now have two shelves and a storage closet for back-up stock. We still have easy to prepare options to be eaten on-campus, but we've added a variety of take-home staples. 

The expansion of our pantry was made possible through a grant from the Maine Hunger Dialogue, as well as through the support of Campus Life and fundraising by our student-group. We are pleased to say that our visibility is improving, and more students are being fed through the efforts of our pantry. With this comes greater operating costs.  So far the community has been super supportive and we are confident that you all will continue to support our cause.

We are asking for 1,000 dollars so that we can keep the pantry stocked through the end of the semester, and during the less active summer months. Our hope is to have a few hundred dollars in our group's account when we begin the new semester, so that the new members of the student group who will be taking over when the founders graduate will be able to keep the pantry running as they get organized.

All donations will go towards the purchase of food for the pantry or free breakfast, food storage or food safety supplies, or towards further fundraising efforts. The majority of donations will go directly into the cost of food for the pantry. 

Thank you so much for your support!