Baltimore, MD (April 16, 2025) |
SECU, Maryland’s largest state-chartered credit union, and The Universities at Shady Grove (USG), part of the University System of Maryland, have entered an official partnership agreement this spring to combat food insecurity on college campuses. The partnership expands on the foundation laid by SECU’s fall 2024 Kindness Campaign, where the credit union’s grand act of kindness involved distributing essential items to campus pantries at universities across the state.
SECU’s tireless work to combat food insecurity and promote holistic wellness for Marylanders is in response to a recent research study from Johns Hopkins and the Bloomberg School of Public Health that found students from food-insecure households were 43 percent less likely to graduate from college and 61 percent less likely to obtain a graduate or professional degree, compared to non-food-insecure students. As part of the credit union’s two-year partnership with USG, SECU leadership and staff will host and lead several financial literacy workshops and wellness sessions for USG students, staff and employees, as well as workshops with graduating seniors in addition to pledging $20,000 in financial support.
“Giving back is truly in our DNA at SECU, and it’s more important now than ever to ensure that students of all ages and backgrounds have their most basic needs met in order to succeed – in the classroom, on campus and in their day-to-day lives,” said Annie Weinschenk, SECU Senior Manager, University Partnerships. “Students deserve to be able to give their all to their studies and bettering themselves without wondering where their next meal will come from, or if they have the essentials needed. Taking care of the next generation means a commitment to overall wellness, not just financial wellness, and our partnership with the Universities at Shady Grove does just that.”
USG’s food pantry, Grover Essentials, was opened in August 2018 to provide supplemental food and necessities to contribute to the well-being and success of the wider USG community, providing all-important food access to the diverse working student population. The program has been a tremendous success and continues to grow– the “Grab-and-Go” feature has seen a 117% increase in activity compared to September 2023, with 45% of recent scholarship recipients surveyed increasingly worried about funding and food access programs.
USG students and staff can access any of the pantry’s three major components and services using their campus ID and visiting the front desk of the USG Student Services Office:
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Grab-and-Go Snacks - The snack station provides a variety of free pre-packaged, grab-and-go snacks Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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Grab-and-Go Customizable Toiletry Bags - Students are offered a selection of hygiene items such as soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and deodorants (inventory may vary). Every 2 weeks, students can choose three toiletry items Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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Grover Essentials After Hours - Students can visit outside of normal business hours by simply making an appointment and picking up grab-and-go bags of essentials at designated lockers outside of the USG Student Services Office on evenings and weekends.
"At The Universities at Shady Grove, we are committed to tackling food insecurity, which is a reality on college campuses nationwide. Student success and achievement of academic pursuits greatly connects to overall well-being,” said Dr. Anne Khademian, Executive Director, The Universities at Shady Grove. “We are grateful for SECU's continued partnership and generous support, which ensures we can prioritize our students' wellness alongside their educational journey. Together, we're removing barriers to success and creating an environment where every student can thrive both in and out of the classroom."
To learn more about SECU, its partnerships and its commitment to wellness for Marylanders at every age and every stage of life, visit secumd.org or secumdfoundation.org.