Friends of the Pantry,

With all of the springtime traditions that take place in our beautiful city, the PSU Annual Day of Giving is one we hold close to our hearts. Here at the PSU Smallwood Food Pantry we are excited to announce that early bird giving starts TODAY!

We are thrilled to share some incredible news to kick off this year’s efforts: Tom and Marilyn Fink have generously given a $500 match in support of the PSU Smallwood Food Pantry! This means every dollar you give will be matched, doubling your impact instantly. 

The PSU Smallwood Food Pantry is a vital resource that provides free food to all Portland State University students. With over 54% of students reporting being food insecure, the need for consistent access to nutritious food remains critical for our student community. Studies have shown that having regular access to brain foods like fresh vegetables and proteins boost a student’s ability to thrive in their classes.  

Your impact is real. So far this year, the pantry has had 3,737 unique visits. This year we have distributed over 328,816.5 pounds of food to students in need. This support provides an average value of $42.55 in groceries during every single visit.

Students tell us this support is a lifeline:

• “The food pantry has given me the ability to eat nutritious food even when struggling to pay bills. The staff are so kind… it feels like they care about me.”
• "If it weren’t for the food pantry I would need to choose between paying my rent or paying for food."
• "Their efforts feel genuine, and my needs and the needs of my peers actually feel seen and cared for."

The Smallwood Food Pantry is more than just a place to get groceries. It is a lifeline for students facing food insecurity, allowing them to focus on their studies and achieve their academic goals. 

Thank you for your commitment to the well-being of our PSU community. Please join us today to make your gift go twice as far!
 

Sincerely,

The PSU Smallwood Food Pantry Team