A Commitment to Ending Hunger: CCA’s Swipe Out Hunger Designation

AURORA, Colo. — In a move to combat food insecurity among its student body, the Community College of Aurora (CCA) has officially received the Swipe Out Hunger designation, a national recognition awarded to universities that take significant steps to address hunger on campus. This new designation marks a major milestone in the college’s ongoing commitment to ensuring all students have access to nutritious food, regardless of their financial situation.

The designation allows students to donate their unused meal swipes, which would be redistributed to fellow students in need, ensuring no one would have to go hungry during their academic years. 

“We actively work to ensure students have access to food through multiple initiatives, driven by student needs and advocacy,” said Andrea Rascon, Project Coordinator for Student Advocacy.”

Swipe Out Hunger is just one of several programs CCA has initiated, all based on a 2023 Basic Needs Assessment, where 64% of students reported food insecurity, including skipping meals, attending class hungry or lacking grocery access. CCA is officially recognized as a hunger-free campus through the Colorado Department for Higher Education (CDHE) and is using a grant from the Food Recovery Network to support food recovery efforts. The initiative collects surplus food, stores it in the food pantry and Oxbridge, and makes it available to students in need.

To apply for a Swipe Out Hunger designation, a college must demonstrate the following:

·      A demonstrated need for addressing food insecurity.

·      Strong partnerships with dining services.

·      A clear plan for meal swipe donations and distribution to students in need.

·      Campus-wide support and involvement in the initiative.

·      Commitment to sustainability and long-term success of the program.

The process of applying for the Swipe Out Hunger designation requires careful planning, collaboration, and a deep commitment to helping students facing food insecurity. By receiving this designation, colleges can play a crucial role in reducing hunger on campus and ensuring that all students have the resources they need to succeed academically and personally.

“We have a long-term commitment to fighting hunger, and are proud to be part of a national movement that is working to address the growing challenge of food security on college campuses,” added Rascon. “This designation is a testament to the dedication of our students, faculty, instructors, and staff who believe in the importance of ensuring that all of our students have access to the basic needs and resources they need to succeed academically and personally.”