The Sutherland Building at Penn State Abington
ABINGTON, Pa. — Penn State Abington is the recipient of a $15,000 grant from the Leo and Peggy Pierce Family Foundation to support the campus’ goal of reducing food insecurity among its students. This is the fourth consecutive year the foundation has awarded Abington funding for the LionShare food pantry.
The Pierce Foundation grant supports the day-to-day operations and expenses of the LionShare including student-intern wages, digital grocery store gift cards for the gift card assistance program, and the ability to restock pantry shelves with nonperishable goods.
We are committed to destigmatizing food insecurity issues and mitigating the distress that individuals are experiencing.—Linda Zhang , Food pantry student intern
Linda Zhang, a student intern who works at the pantry, said the program gives students the support to help them move forward with their academic and professional goals. She calls it the most defining and meaningful experience of her life.
"We are committed to destigmatizing food insecurity issues and mitigating the distress that individuals are experiencing. LionShare is dedicated to being in alignment with humanity and that starts with helping our very own students," she said.
The LionShare is an important component of support services at Abington where about 76 percent of students receive financial aid and 38 percent of students are eligible for federal Pell grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need.
The Pierce foundation seeks to end hunger and food insecurity in the five-county Philadelphia region and Indian River County, Florida, through grants and investments.
About Penn State Abington
Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,000 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 23 majors, undergraduate research, the Schreyer honors program, NCAA Division III athletics and more.
