School of Business Administration

The School of Business Administration is a learning community committed to the Catholic and Marianist tradition of educating the whole person. So when SBA Faculty found out that 36% of UD students report having experienced food insecurity while on campus, they found a way to support students in need by assisting UD's Food4Flyers Food Pantry.

Located at ArtStreet in the Brook Center for Empowerment and Wellbeing, the Food4Flyers Food Pantry provides students with food and hygiene supplies donated by faculty, staff, students, and donors. The center helps combat food insecurity, an increasing problem nationwide and one reported by more than one-third of students during their time at UD.

However, with over 1100 visits since the start of the semester in August, by October, the Food Pantry became low on many items while the student needs continued to increase towards the end of the semester.

"When we learned that the Food4Flyers Food Pantry was running low on items, it was proposed that each unit on campus "sponsor" a month of the year." explains Diane M. Sullivan, Ph.D. School of Business Administration's Associate Dean for Faculty Development and DE&I. "The SBA volunteered to take on November. This is a special opportunity, as the Food Pantry regularly runs low at the end of the semester. So, we had the opportunity to not only sponsor a month, but also to restock the pantry at a time when need is particularly strong."

Sullivan was proud to share that with over 11.5 donation bins filled, "The faculty and staff in the SBA really stepped up to support our students."

A joint study between the University of Dayton and Chaminade University in Honolulu and St. Mary's University in San Antonio found that most students were not spending their food money on beer and frivolities. Instead, students who struggle financially put tuition first — and food last. However, by the end of the semester, students' expenses outmatch the funds they allocated for meal plans or grocery bills, leaving little for actual food, which is a considerable problem with finals on the horizon. Studies, such as the joint Marianist study, have found that students who experience food insecurity have lower GPAs and miss class far more often.

"If they are sitting in class hungry, they're never going to be able to figure out, how do I acquire that internship? How do I critically think about this undergraduate research opportunity? How do I engage in a meaningful conversation with a mentor if I'm sitting here hungry?" - Kristen Altenau Keen, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of the Brook Center, explains. "We need to give them the tools for their brains to be able to function at their highest level."

The SBA food drive not only created a sense of community amongst those who donated but also helped strengthen the student's sense of belonging.  "Food insecurity can lead to students feeling isolated and disconnected from their community. The SBA Food Drive to restock the Food4Flyers Food Pantry is a special opportunity to increase the sense of belonging among our students" said Sullivan.

Faculty, staff, and students wishing to donate shelf-stable items can drop them off at the Brook Center (318 Kiefaber). The center also gladly accepts cash donations from donors, alumni, or anyone wishing to support the Food4Flyers Food Pantry through the WeSoar Donation Platform.