Throughout the commonwealth, PASSHE students, alumni, faculty, and staff collaborate to share their time and resources, support one another, and raise awareness for important causes.
Success Highlights
After graduation from Cheyney University, Mary L. Peters dedicated herself to mental health services, working with children
with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She later transitioned into higher
education, building a 30-year career in the field. Mary earned an M.S. in Human Service
Administration and is pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. In 2021, Mary came
full circle, returning to Cheyney as Associate Director of Admissions, where she continues
the tradition of alumni giving back to the institution that shaped her.
For the third year, Commonwealth University (CU) police departments at Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield held a Thanksgiving Food for Fines event. From November 11 to November 22, members of the CU community could have parking tickets dismissed by donating five canned food items. This event resulted in collecting 1,870 canned food items and dismissing 374 parking tickets across the campuses.
Throughout 2024, various departments and events at East Stroudsburg University played a significant role in supporting the Warrior Food Pantry, an essential resource for needy students. Key contributions came from the 10th Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service, the Red & Black Breakfast, and the Faculty & Staff Holiday Luncheon, which provided opportunities for faculty and staff to donate food items, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and gift cards to local grocery stores.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s student alumni association, the IUP Ambassadors, is on a winning streak—for the group and IUP students facing food insecurity. In conjunction with IUP’s Giving Tuesday/Month of Giving initiative, IUP Ambassadors donated $800 from the group’s Homecoming parade first-place float prize to the IUP Food Pantry and Help Center.
For the third year, Kutztown University has been awarded the Hunger-Free Campus grant to address student food insecurity. The grant awards $60,000 to aid in expanding access to food options, creating awareness initiatives, and upgrading facilities.
Millersville University continues to make a difference by holding annual clothing and toy drives this winter. In addition, the Millersville University chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers hosted its 3rd Annual Winter Clothing Drive in partnership with the Lancaster Food Hub.
On a recent episode of “The Power of PennWest” podcast, PennWest President Jon Anderson sat down with leaders from Advancement and the university foundations to explore the impact of charitable giving on students at California, Clarion, Edinboro, and Global Online. These gifts alleviate financial stress by funding scholarships and providing financial aid opportunities, empowering students to focus on their education.
From November 2 to 9, Scouting for America participated in Shippensburg University’s Scouting for Food drive, helping to feed local communities. This annual initiative begins on the first Saturday of November and supports food-insecure families in Shippensburg. Scouts delivered empty grocery bags to neighborhoods and returned on November 9 to collect the filled bags with non-perishable food donations. The donations were sorted at the Shippensburg Fairgrounds and benefited Big Red's Cupboard, the Hound Pack Program, and the Maranatha Ministry for the second year.
Joe and Pam Finney, 1986 SRU graduates in business administration, are deeply committed to Slippery Rock University. They fulfill their commitment by sharing their time, knowledge, and financial support through scholarships and the Investment Club. In this student-run organization, over 100 students gain hands-on investment experience. Their contributions reflect their belief in the value of an SRU education and its impact on future generations.
West Chester University Professor of Nutrition Dr. Jeanie Subach organized the making and packaging of 50 Thanksgiving meals for Safe Harbor. This area emergency shelter provides services for adults experiencing homelessness. In WCU’s nutrition department food lab, she enlisted the aid of two dietetic interns, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity members, WCU Campus Chef Justin Grilli (Aramark), Safe Harbor’s cook, and former residents Regina White and Julian Clement. The Thanksgiving cooking collaboration directly resulted from Subach’s sponsored grant research to analyze the food served to Safe Harbor residents.
For the third year, Commonwealth University (CU) police departments at Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield held a Thanksgiving Food for Fines event. From November 11 to November 22, members of the CU community could have parking tickets dismissed by donating five canned food items. This event resulted in collecting 1,870 canned food items and dismissing 374 parking tickets across the campuses.
Throughout 2024, various departments and events at East Stroudsburg University played a significant role in supporting the Warrior Food Pantry, an essential resource for needy students. Key contributions came from the 10th Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service, the Red & Black Breakfast, and the Faculty & Staff Holiday Luncheon, which provided opportunities for faculty and staff to donate food items, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and gift cards to local grocery stores.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s student alumni association, the IUP Ambassadors, is on a winning streak—for the group and IUP students facing food insecurity. In conjunction with IUP’s Giving Tuesday/Month of Giving initiative, IUP Ambassadors donated $800 from the group’s Homecoming parade first-place float prize to the IUP Food Pantry and Help Center.
For the third year, Kutztown University has been awarded the Hunger-Free Campus grant to address student food insecurity. The grant awards $60,000 to aid in expanding access to food options, creating awareness initiatives, and upgrading facilities.
Millersville University continues to make a difference by holding annual clothing and toy drives this winter. In addition, the Millersville University chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers hosted its 3rd Annual Winter Clothing Drive in partnership with the Lancaster Food Hub.
On a recent episode of “The Power of PennWest” podcast, PennWest President Jon Anderson sat down with leaders from Advancement and the university foundations to explore the impact of charitable giving on students at California, Clarion, Edinboro, and Global Online. These gifts alleviate financial stress by funding scholarships and providing financial aid opportunities, empowering students to focus on their education.
From November 2 to 9, Scouting for America participated in Shippensburg University’s Scouting for Food drive, helping to feed local communities. This annual initiative begins on the first Saturday of November and supports food-insecure families in Shippensburg. Scouts delivered empty grocery bags to neighborhoods and returned on November 9 to collect the filled bags with non-perishable food donations. The donations were sorted at the Shippensburg Fairgrounds and benefited Big Red's Cupboard, the Hound Pack Program, and the Maranatha Ministry for the second year.
Joe and Pam Finney, 1986 SRU graduates in business administration, are deeply committed to Slippery Rock University. They fulfill their commitment by sharing their time, knowledge, and financial support through scholarships and the Investment Club. In this student-run organization, over 100 students gain hands-on investment experience. Their contributions reflect their belief in the value of an SRU education and its impact on future generations.
West Chester University Professor of Nutrition Dr. Jeanie Subach organized the making and packaging of 50 Thanksgiving meals for Safe Harbor. This area emergency shelter provides services for adults experiencing homelessness. In WCU’s nutrition department food lab, she enlisted the aid of two dietetic interns, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity members, WCU Campus Chef Justin Grilli (Aramark), Safe Harbor’s cook, and former residents Regina White and Julian Clement. The Thanksgiving cooking collaboration directly resulted from Subach’s sponsored grant research to analyze the food served to Safe Harbor residents.