Troy University’s Alumni Association Board of Directors is helping to address food insecurity needs on the Troy Campus through its recent donation to the Trojan Pantry.

The Board recently donated $2,000 to the Trojan Pantry, an initiative led by the Office of Civic Engagement to address food insecurity among students that opened in November 2022. Nationally, about 30 percent of college students are food insecure at school, and those numbers hold true at TROY.

The Trojan Pantry, located in Trojan Village 200, is open to all current Troy University students. The pantry provides nonperishable food items, personal hygiene products as well as other supplies to students. The pantry is staffed by student workers and volunteers.

During the 2024-2025 academic year, the pantry had nearly 1,800 visits. Lauren Cochran, Coordinator of Civic Engagement, said the pantry averaged more than 55 visits and distributed more than 500 pounds of food, hygiene and school supply items each week.

“We have seen the incredible generosity of the Trojan family this past year,” Cochran said. “Individuals who are passionate about supporting student success have donated financially, through physical donations and through volunteer service. The Trojan Pantry is truly a grassroots effort on behalf of faculty, staff and students and relies on donations to keep it running. Community partnerships with local businesses like Publix and Starbucks are also critical to its success.”

Jack Weaver, President of the Troy University Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, said the Alumni Association was committed to helping the Trojan Pantry combat food insecurity among TROY students.

“We want to retain students at TROY,” Weaver said. “The Alumni Board is committed to the vital service the Trojan Pantry provides to our students. We want our students to be successful and realize their educational goals and dreams. We want to ensure that food insecurity doesn’t become a deterrent to their academic success.”

Other businesses and organizations also have made donations to support the Trojan Pantry, including the Pike County Commission, Paradise Home Sales and Big River Car Wash.

“We are so appreciative of our Alumni Association for their gracious gift,” Cochran said. “These efforts help us support students and ensure access to basic needs is not a barrier to academic success.”

One-time or recurring donations to support Troy University Hunger Initiatives can be made through the website. Items also can be donated by shopping from the Troy University Hunger Initiatives’ Amazon wish list. TROY faculty and staff can contribute monthly through payroll deduction.

For more information, visit the Trojan Pantry website.