On Thursday, Nov. 21, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) hosted a ribbon cutting event at the Stratton P.O.D. (Provisions on Demand), celebrating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits officially being accepted on campus. SNAP is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget. The acceptance of SNAP benefits at the Stratton P.O.D. at EKU, located in the Stratton Building, increases grocery access for students and the EKU community.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately one in four college students experiences food insecurity, which means they do not have adequate access to food products. To make SNAP access possible, the Stratton P.O.D. offers staple food items for purchase, such as deli meat, pasta, cereal, milk, fruit and protein bars.
“As a university, our mission extends beyond academic excellence; we also want to ensure that every student has the resources they need to succeed. By accepting SNAP benefits, we are acknowledging that student well-being is fundamental to their academic and personal growth,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “No student should have to choose between their education and their basic needs. Providing access to food security through programs like SNAP and the Colonel’s Cupboard is an essential part of fostering an environment where all students can thrive, not just in the classroom, but in their future careers."
In April, EKU and Aramark, the school’s food service provider, had announced that EKU would be the first school in the Aramark Collegiate Hospitality Midwest Region with a convenience store (P.O.D.) accepting SNAP benefits. EKU is also the first university in the Aramark system to accept SNAP benefits in Kentucky.
Brittany Collins, an EKU senior pursuing a major in agriculture and a minor in aviation, spoke about the difference it makes for EKU to accept SNAP benefits as a single parent of two boys.
“The days are long and the responsibilities are many, and the stress in making it work is very real. As a mom, I'm always prioritizing making sure the kids are fed, packing their lunches, making their dinners, and ensuring that they get everything that they need to grow and thrive,” Collins said. “Finding time to feed myself is more like an afterthought. Too often, I end up skipping meals entirely just because I don't have time or the energy to figure it out. That's why the acceptance of SNAP here at the P.O.D. in Stratton is such a big deal for students like me who are stretched thin and juggling more responsibilities than we can count. This changes more than just convenience. It's a lifeline.”
The idea to make SNAP benefits available on campus came from discussions in the Food Security Coalition, which meets every semester to discuss updates and changes to food security. The Food Security Coalition along with the Colonel’s Cupboard, EKU’s food pantry, spread awareness about food insecurity on campus and provide resources to students who face food insecurity. The Colonel’s Cupboard celebrates its 10th anniversary this month of providing food, toiletry items and clothes to students facing food insecurity or financial distress.