Food Bank of Iowa has awarded a $20,000 grant to Iowa State University’s student food pantry, SHOP – Students Helping Our Peers. The grant will be used for new cold storage and freezer space, expanding SHOP’s capacity to provide produce, eggs, dairy and meat for students who are food insecure. According to Iowa State, results from two 2019 national student surveys indicated about 25% of ISU students may not have reliable access to nutritious, affordable food in sufficient quantities. “This funding will ultimately give students in need many more options for fresh, wholesome, nourishing food,” said Michelle Book, Food Bank of Iowa president and CEO. “We know that college students who consistently lack access to enough food have lower GPAs, are at greater risk for mental health problems, and are 43% less likely to graduate.”

Iowa Stops Hunger is a yearlong Business Publications Corp. initiative to bring awareness and action to food insecurity in Iowa. Read additional stories on Iowastopshunger.com.