A new initiative aimed at combating student food insecurity at Troy University is asking Trojans to consider the impact of a simple monthly gift: $5.
Dubbed the “Power of Five” campaign, the effort encourages faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university to contribute $5 per month to support the Trojan Pantry, providing a sustainable source of funding to help students facing food insecurity.
Dr. Lane Boyte Chadwick said the campaign demonstrates how small acts of generosity can create meaningful change in students’ lives.
“Five dollars may not seem like a significant amount on its own, but when members of the TROY family come together, those gifts become a powerful investment in student success,” Chadwick said. “The Power of Five is about ensuring that no student has to choose between pursuing an education and having access to nutritious food.”
While $5 may not cover a cup of specialty coffee or a streaming subscription, campaign organizers say it can make a substantial difference for students struggling to balance the rising costs of tuition, housing, transportation and everyday living expenses.
For some students, access to the Trojan Pantry can provide breakfast items for a week, meals built around pantry staples or emergency assistance during an unexpected financial setback. It can also help alleviate difficult decisions between purchasing food and buying textbooks or other academic necessities.
The campaign highlights what organizers call “The Student You Never Meet” — a reminder that food insecurity often affects students whose challenges are not visible to others.
That student may attend classes, study late into the night, work part-time and remain focused on earning a degree while quietly worrying about whether enough money remains for groceries after paying rent, utility bills and tuition expenses.
“She isn’t looking for a handout,” Chadwick said. “She’s working hard to build a future through education. The support provided through the Trojan Pantry allows students to focus on learning and achieving their goals rather than worrying about where their next meal will come from.”
A community of donors giving $5 per month can help keep pantry shelves stocked with high-demand items such as cereal, rice, pasta, protein sources and snacks. Contributions also support pantry operations, inventory management, outreach efforts and expanded services as student needs continue to grow.
Organizers say recurring gifts are particularly valuable because they provide a predictable funding source that allows the pantry to plan ahead rather than simply respond to shortages as they arise.
The campaign also speaks directly to alumni, many of whom benefited from the support of professors, mentors, staff members and donors during their time at TROY.
“Every TROY graduate can probably point to someone who helped them along the way,” Chadwick said. “The Power of Five gives alumni an opportunity to pay that support forward and make a lasting difference for today’s students.”
University leaders hope the initiative will build a culture of collective support across the Trojan community.
“Five dollars may seem small,” Chadwick said, “but when hundreds of Trojans unite around a common purpose, the impact is extraordinary. Together, we can help ensure every student has the resources, dignity and opportunity needed to learn, grow and graduate.”
The campaign’s message is simple: Five dollars. One student. One community. Endless impact. Those interested in participating can join the Power of Five by making a recurring monthly gift to support the Trojan Pantry.
