The Slippery Rock University Student Government Association, in association with the Macoskey Center and the Office for Community-Engaged Learning, is hosting a food drive to help stock the shelves of the campus food pantry, Bob's Cupboard, through Feb. 5.

Bob's Cupboard was established in 2018 after a survey found that nearly 40% of SRU students had experienced either not knowing when they would have access to food or were aware of fellow students who had been insecure about accessing food.

The national average for university students experiencing food insecurity at some point during their collegiate career is 50%. Most college students are unable to gain assistance from community food banks as student loans are often counted as income despite the money being allocated for tuition.

Donations of healthy, nonperishable foods, toiletries and cleaning supplies are needed. Items with longer expiration dates and that are in smaller packages or individually packaged are particularly encouraged.

Donations of foods that are high in sugar content, expired, damaged, unlabeled or home-canned will not be accepted. A list of suggested items can be found on the Bob's Cupboard Facebook page.