CWU becomes nationwide trailblazer in effort to combat food insecurity

For students at Central Washington University, the Wildcat Pantry is more than just a resource; it is a vital support system that helps remove barriers to success.

Designed to provide access to free food, clothing, hygiene products, and household items, the pantry started as eight bookshelves in buildings across campus, which immediately saw daily use by students.

Now with a new permanent, expanded space in Brooks Library and several grab-and-go locations across campus, the Wildcat Pantry has become a nationally recognized model for addressing food insecurity in higher education, with universities across the country looking to CWU to learn how to implement similar programs on their own campuses.

The 2024 Washington Student Experience Survey (WSES) reported that more than half of students statewide experience basic needs insecurity—a 6% increase from 2022—putting the need for food assistance at an all-time high.

Among four-year college students, food insecurity was reported at a staggering 42%, marking a 14% jump in just two years. The region of the state with the highest basic needs insecurity (57.9%) was the south-central region, which includes Kittitas County.

CWU data also reflects this growing crisis. Compared to the fall quarter of 2023, the Wildcat Pantry saw a 14% increase in visits, totaling 2,505, and a whopping 62% increase in the total number of items disbursed, totaling 20,516.

Recognizing the urgency of this issue, CWU has taken bold steps to ensure the Wildcat Pantry is not just a temporary fix but a sustainable solution.

“We began working on things like removing barriers so that people don't feel the stigma coming in to use this resource,” said CWU Interim Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board of Trustees Dr. Dania Cochran, who oversees the Wildcat Pantry team. “We have evolved quickly over the last three years; having the support of the President’s Office and President Wohlpart has elevated the Wildcat Pantry’s progress and expansions.”

Unlike many university pantries that operate solely on donations and volunteer efforts, CWU has secured long-term funding and institutional backing.

“What started as PUSH, Presidents United to Solve Hunger, turned into the President's Office committing the one-time funds to hire a full-time professional staff member,” Cochran said. “That already put us ahead of most institutions. Now the state contributes permanent funds to ensure our full-time professional staff member and several of our student employees remain able to continue the good work the Wildcat Pantry is doing.”

This structural commitment has set CWU apart, making it one of the few universities in the country with dedicated, full-time staff run its pantry operations. The program is further strengthened by a unique student fee, approved in 2023, which provides stable financial support.

“Our students voted and said, ‘yes, we’ll pay six dollars a quarter as long as we're at the Ellensburg campus to help support this resource,’” Dania explained.

Through a combination of university backing, state funding, community partnerships, and donor contributions, the Wildcat Pantry has become a robust operation.

It is staffed by one full-time professional, seven student employees, and a dedicated group of volunteers, who handle everything from stocking shelves to organizing donation drives.

Thanks to support from the Washington Student Achievement Council, partnerships with local organizations like the FISH Food Bank, and support from alumni and donors, the Wildcat Pantry continues to expand its reach.

“Once we found out how many students were hungry, we were really surprised,” said Ben (’79) and Nancy Remak, supporters of the Wildcat Pantry. “It’s the university’s mission to educate people, and it is hard to learn when you’re really hungry or have to work two jobs. So, if we can alleviate a little bit of that, we are happy to do it.”

In the 2023-2024 academic year alone, the program raised over $95,623 for basic needs and distributed more than 39,462 pounds of food and essential items. The pantry has also expanded its services beyond food assistance, helping students access personal hygiene items, clothing, and household goods.

Because of the pantry’s successful model, CWU has become a leader in the national fight against food insecurity in higher education, inviting other universities to Ellensburg to study the Wildcat Pantry’s approach to the issue.

“More and more people are coming to us saying, ‘Can we come see how you're set up? How did you get a fee passed? How did you get a new space on campus?’” Cochran said.

To meet this growing interest, CWU is hoping to host a national conference in 2026, bringing together a variety of experts and institutions to share best practices aimed at helping other institutions implement pantry programs like Central’s.

“At this point, we're really starting to develop as leaders in this area within higher education and the pantry, and people are seeing the work we're doing and wondering how they can do this,” Cochran said.  “Hosting a regional conference or a site visit would allow other institutions to experience and learn firsthand how we were able to come this far.”

As the need for basic needs support continues to grow, CWU is proving that universities play a crucial role in ensuring students have the resources they need to be successful.

“The pantry is super important for students who don’t make enough income and are unable to buy basic living necessities,” one student patron said.

By fostering a sustainable, well-supported model, CWU is not only addressing food insecurity within its own community; it is also shaping the future of student support services across the nation.

If you would like to learn more about the program, or support this important work, visit the Wildcat Pantry website and see how you can make a difference.