April 4, 2023

Dear AU Community,

As students begin the final push of the semester, we know how important it is to have access to healthy, nutritious food. We’re reaching out to let you know about the many ways that you can help students who struggle with food insecurity prepare for a strong finish this Spring semester.

Fuel to Finals is a food drive taking place now through the end of the semester at The Market, AU’s food pantry. You can drop off food in the box outside of The Market at MGC 308, donate online, or choose a food item from The Market’s Amazon Wish List and send it straight to their shelves.

This is a community that is strong in its commitment to making a difference. That’s what led to the creation of The Market back in 2017, which started, as many things do in academia, with a research project. A student surveyed 700 fellow students, found a concerning level of food insecurity that aligned with national data, and then worked with university leadership to find out what the university could do. Ever since then, The Market has been assisting students in need.

The Market isn’t a full solution to food insecurity; it’s a supplemental source of food, not a primary one, and students with long-term needs should work with the Dean of Students office, financial aid, or local resources to find long-term solutions that support their success. But as we know, eating well is essential to performing well, and The Market is an important part of our work to help students achieve their goals at AU and in life.

Please join us in helping The Market make sure that AU students have fuel to finals!

Sincerely,

Sarah Baldassaro
Interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence

Dayne Hutchinson, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement & Success