Grant helps The Rack serve students in need

As college tuition and expenses are steadily on the rise, more students are faced with financial hardships.

The Rack, a West Virginia University Student Organization Services food pantry, is working to put an end to student hunger on campus and recently received a $1,000 grant from The Wal-Mart Foundation to help them do so.

The pantry provides a variety of ready-to-eat and easily prepared frozen, boxed or canned items to students who are faced with financial difficulty.

"We're trying to direct our attention to the needs of students who are faced with financial hardship," said Student Organizations Services Program Coordinator Jacqueline Dooley. "Our goal is to take care of students who are hiding behind hunger."

The grant was awarded through the Local Facility Giving and Hunger Outreach Grant Program.

The funds will go toward food, toiletry and hygiene products, Dooley said.

"The mere fact that we're being recognized and students are receiving benefits is very exciting," Dooley said. "It's very warm to know that the general population who contributes has the students' interests in their hearts."

Dooley said while The Rack currently serves more than 2,000 students, she hopes the expansion could help better meet the needs of the students on campus who still face the burden of hunger.

"There are so many students we are not reaching," she said. "I'm excited to be able to expand and continue our mission."

The Rack is located in the Student Organizations Wing of the Mountainlair.

The pantry is open 8:15 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 8:15 a.m. until the Mountainlair closes on Friday evenings.

For more information, visit http://sos.wvu.edu.