Davenport University has been awarded a $32,100 Hunger-Free Campus Activities grant by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) to strengthen a university-wide effort to address student food insecurity. The funding will expand Panther Resource Closet services, Farm Fresh Market events, and transportation assistance, increasing access to nutritious food for students across Davenport’s Grand Rapids, Midland, Lansing, and Warren campuses.

The Panther Resource Closet Plus (PRC Plus) initiative will transition Davenport’s food security efforts from an intermittent, donation-dependent model to a standardized, proactive support system.

“At Davenport, we believe no student should have to choose between their education and their next meal,” said Natalie Wagner, director of Student Life at Davenport. “While our Panther Resource Closet and PRC Pantry provide an important safety net, securing the MiLEAP Hunger-Free Campus Activities Grant allows us to scale that mission.”

In the 2024–2025 academic year, Davenport provided nearly 1,000 pounds of food and 1,300 hygiene items to students. It has already seen demand in the current year exceed previous annual totals, underscoring the need for a more comprehensive and consistent approach.

Numerous members of Davenport’s leadership team identified the grant opportunity and agreed it was important to act.

Davenport’s 2023 Student Needs Assessment revealed significant barriers: 27% of students cannot afford healthy meals, 13% go hungry due to cost, and 36% feel their financial resources are insufficient for school. The Panther Resource Closet – Plus program is designed to boost student retention and completion by stabilizing the basic needs that currently hinder academic success at Davenport.

“These stressors often lead to missed classes, reduced course loads and a higher ‘stop-out’ risk,” Wagner said. “By removing these drivers of attrition through expanded food access and transportation support, PRC Plus will help maintain Davenport’s 80% retention rate, ensuring that food insecurity does not interrupt a student’s momentum toward graduation.”

Recognizing students experience food insecurity differently, the program will provide flexible and stigma-free options for support.

Students can access resources through multiple pathways, including meal vouchers and gift cards that allow students to obtain food quickly and privately. This will particularly benefit commuter, adult and working students with limited time, transportation or kitchen access.

The Farm Fresh Market, a program that was piloted on the W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus, will be expanded to Warren, Lansing and Midland campuses to meet students where they are. Transportation barriers also will be addressed through shuttle access and bus passes connecting students to campus and community food resources.

Additionally, Davenport will implement staff training and SNAP navigation support to identify food insecurity early and connect students to long-term benefits.

Execution of the program will truly be a group effort, said Louanne McIntyre, Davenport associate director of grant development.

“To achieve this, Davenport will leverage a robust network of partners,” McIntyre said. “Campus Dining and Student Life will provide meal vouchers and Fresh Markets, while university Transportation will connect students to essential food hubs. Faculty and staff will also be trained to recognize signs of insecurity and offer warm handoffs to resources.”

Davenport has partnerships with Feeding America, local food banks, and United Way’s 211 system across all four campus regions to create a sustainable safety net. Key backing from the Meijer Foundation will ensure a consistent supply of food and hygiene items, embedding food security and support into Davenport’s long-term student success strategy.

Davenport was one of eight colleges selected to receive funding through the MiLEAP Hunger-Free Campus Activities Grant.

The grant period runs April 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2026.