Rose State College was one of six public institutions selected for the Oklahoma Hunger-Free Campus Act pilot program. The school also received a matching grant of $26,667.00. The Oklahoma Hunger-Free Campus Act is a statewide pilot program addressing post-secondary student hunger. For a school to be defined as a Hunger-Free Campus, it must have anti-hunger programs on campus.
Rose State started an on-campus food pantry named Raider Necessities in 2018-2019, which stayed open throughout the pandemic. In 2022, Raider Necessities served nearly 7,000 Rose State students, faculty and staff. Located in the Diversity Center across the street from the Student Union, Raider Necessities provides a free resource for all students, faculty and staff to utilize twice monthly. A Rose State ID is required to shop the pantry.
“We have made an impact with our students, faculty and staff already with our food pantry, Raider Necessities,” Rose State Executive Director of Diversity and Cultural Affairs Monique Bruner said. “As a participant in the Oklahoma Hunger-Free Campus Act pilot program and the receipt of this grant, we can expand our reach through increased inventory and upgraded refrigerated areas and electrical panel.”
The Rose State Hunger Task Force has defined three primary goals for the pilot program:
With the grant, Rose State is planning an awareness day campaign activity, including writing letters to elected officials, creating a display in the student union with groceries and their approximate cost and a food and toiletry drive held.
For more information, contact the Rose State Hunger Task Force at (405) 736-0344 or diversity@rose.edu.