Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University recently acknowledged Kroger Co. for a $10,000 donation to Swoop’s Food Pantry during an EMU basketball game. The contribution is part of Kroger's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation initiative, aimed at combating food insecurity among students. To date, Kroger has contributed over $90,000 to the pantry through various grants.

Graduate assistant Colton Ray highlighted the pantry's impact on student life: "I started shopping at Swoop’s Pantry in the fall of 2020," said Ray. "It was my first year living independently, and in 2021, I was fortunate to become a work-study employee at the pantry, which ultimately inspired me to change my major to social work."

The demand for Swoop's services continues to rise with over 1,300 intake forms submitted this year and an average of 90 daily student visits. The partnership with Kroger helps address this need by providing free nutritious food to students.

Christa Reid, executive director of development for the College of Health and Human Services and College of Education at EMU stated: “The pantry's purpose is to alleviate hunger, promote health and well-being, and create a sense of stability within the local community." She expressed gratitude towards Kroger for their ongoing support: "We thank Kroger for their steadfast commitment through their Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social and environmental impact plan."

Ray added that working at Swoop’s helped him manage stressors while pursuing his education: "Working at Swoop’s...allowed me to graduate with academic honors and lessen my student loan debt burden."

Kroger introduced its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation in 2017 as part of its goal to end hunger in communities it serves and eliminate waste across the company by 2025.

Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849 as Michigan's second oldest public university. It offers more than 300 programs through its various colleges serving over 13,000 students.