Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 54.15
Liaison Leslie North
Submission Date March 3, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Western Kentucky University
IN-25: Innovation B

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
WKU Food Pantry both gives and receives in unexpected ways.

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:

The WKU Food Pantry, located at the Office of Sustainability since 2014, provides food assistance to students, faculty, and staff experiencing food insecurity. In 2016, the food pantry was visited 244 times.
The Pantry is well-supported by both the campus and greater community. Community partners include the Community Farmers Market, where vendors donate unsold product at the end of market days and the Country Oven Bakery, where a company green team coordinates regular food drives among employees.
Additionally, the Project Grow Community Garden, located at the Office of Sustainability, provides fresh vegetables for the Pantry. The Project Grow Fellows grow food for the Pantry, and friends that "rent" plots also have the option of donating some of their bounty to the Pantry.
A partnership with the WKU Student Dietetics Association has resulted in creative awareness activities for the Pantry, such as demonstrations of how to use Food Pantry staples (the most often donated items are beans and corn) to make a nutritionally balanced meal.
In 2016/2017 WKU marketing students are developing publicity program packages for the Pantry as their senior projects. These packages will include branding (such as a WKU Food Pantry logo) and other elements that will help raise awareness about the Pantry.


Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Campus Enagement
Food & Dining
Diversity & Affordability

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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