Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means its official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Over one-third  of students know someone who dropped out of college due to food insecurity during the pandemic1. Roughly 52% of students who faced food or housing insecurity in 2020 did not apply for support because they did not know how2. Colleges and universities across the country are taking steps to address these issues so students can focus on their education instead of where to find their next meal.

    The Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Lori Shapiro, fully endorses the PA Hunger-Free Campus Initiative, which began in 2022. In 2023-24, the work continues 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.

    Pennsylvania colleges and universities that are taking the steps to address student hunger are invited to apply for the PA Hunger-Free Campus Designation Certification Form​. Applications are now being accepted on a quarterly basis. The deadlines for submission are as follows:  

    • December 31, 2024

    Institutions that achieve this designation will:

    • Receive a certificate of recognition from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
    • Receive public recognition through placement on the PA Hunger-Free Campus website with a statement indicating that the campus is committed to supporting the health and well-being of students and is part of the collective effort to raise awareness and assistance for food insecurity.
    • Be able to use the PA Hunger-Free Campus logo on materials to indicate the institution's awareness of and focus on solving student hunger.
    • Be prepared for related grant opportunities that may become available.

    PA Hunger-Free Designation Renewal Form

    Institutions with expiring two-year designation, please complete the renewal application by September 30, 2024. ​

    Grants

    The Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Lori Shapiro, fully endorses the PA Hunger-Free Campus Initiative, which began in 2022. In 2024-25,​​ the work continues 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.

    Governor Josh Shapiro successfully advocated for $1,000,000 in the FY 2024-2025 budget to support postsecondary institutions' efforts o​n addressing student hunger needs on campus. Commencing August 2022, postsecondary institutions were invited to apply for the PA Hunger-Free Campus or PA Hunger-Free Campus+ designation to demonstrate their commitment to addressing these needs and diminishing barriers for learners. Beginning August 26, 2024, institutions that have received the designation are invited to submit an application for consideration to receive funds to address food insecurity on campus. ​

    For more information on the Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus Initiative, please contact us at RA-EDHUNGERFREECAMPUS@pa.gov.

    Designated Institutions

    Resources for Institutions

    Resources for Students

    Frequently Asked Questions