Whole Foods Donates $4K To Help Rider Students In Need

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Whole Foods has donated more than $4,000 to Rider University's on-campus pantry as part of its Nickels for Nonprofits Program, the university announced on Monday.

As part of the program, Whole Foods collects 5 cents per bag from those who shop with reusable bags. The Whole Foods store in Princeton selected the Rider Resource Pantry to receive the proceeds from this year’s collection.

The Rider Resource Pantry provides food, clothing, toiletries and school supplies to students in need. It was established in 2018, and served nearly 200 students in just the 2019-20 school year, according to the university. It continued to help 57 students in need amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"We are very thankful for the generosity of Whole Foods and its shoppers," Rider Director of Service and Civic Engagement Joan Liptrot said. "The pantry's mission and Whole Foods' mission are similar — to care about our communities by feeding those in need. The donation will help us ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our students."

According to recent reports, it is estimated that nearly half of American undergraduates experience food insecurity while pursuing college degrees. Lack of access to essentials has also been found to negatively impact students' educational efforts.

"Students will be more successful if they’re not worried about where their next meal is coming from," Princeton Whole Foods Market Team Leader Joe Anselmi said. "Our team is proud to provide local students a hand up when it’s needed.”

The pantry relies solely on donations, the university said. Gourmet Dining, the University's food service provider, helps stock the pantry with an annual donation of $5,000. It also allows students to donate unused guest passes to students in need to access the dining hall.

Various campus organizations also collect donations for the pantry throughout the year. In 2019, the pantry began participating in Panera Bread's Day-End Dough-Nation Program. Once a week, Panera donates unsold bread and baked goods to the Rider Resource Pantry.

The pantry has increased the availability of protein-rich and culturally appropriate food items, and developed a point-value system to ensure students receive a balanced supply of fruits, grains, vegetables and proteins.

"Food insecurity is becoming more and more common for college students," Rider Coordinator of Service and Civic Engagement Susan Perls said. "By easing the burden of where students are going to find their next meal, we hope it allows them to focus on their college experience and get the most out of their time at Rider."

Donations to the pantry can be sent via check payable to Rider University, located at 2083 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, N.J. 08648, with Rider Pantry indicated in the memo section.