Giving Tuesday
Supporting Student Emergency Needs Fund
An education at Bellarmine University empowers students to answer their calling through academic excellence, meaningful experiences, and career preparedness. Our small
class sizes, personal attention, and welcoming environment allow students to realize their full potential.
But what happens if a student cannot focus on their academics because they are too busy worrying about where their next meal will come from? On college campuses across the United States, this is a reality. In fact, 41% of four-year college students report
experiencing food insecurity, with nearly 10% of college students stating they have gone an entire day without eating.
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What is Food Insecurity?
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life”. Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health conducted several recent studies and found
that students facing food insecurity were less likely to be successful in college. Food insecurity was directly associated with depression, anxiety, and loneliness. The studies also found that food-insecure college students were half as likely to
graduate than their food-secure peers.
This year, Bellarmine University welcomed its largest, most diverse incoming first-year class since 2019. The Class of 2029 includes 48% first generation students, 53% Pell eligible students, 43% under-represented minorities, 21% out of state students,
and 2% international students.
Knights Pantry
The Rev. John D. Deatrick ’55 Knights Pantry is a no-cost food pantry that provides supplemental items to Bellarmine students. Open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., it is made possible through a partnership with Dare to Care Food Bank
and support from donors. Students are welcome to stop by and take whatever they need, anonymously, as often as they need.
The pantry is filled with various types of food including fresh seasonal vegetables, canned soups, pasta, rice, fruit cups, cereal, chips, peanut butter, and feminine hygiene products. During the 2024-2025 academic year, there were over 1,200 visits to
the pantry with 683 unique visitors.
Knights Closet
Launched in February 2023, Knights Closet provides seasonal clothing, scrubs, gently used Bellarmine gear, winter accessories such as gloves, hats, scarves, and boots, and inclusive career-ready clothing so students can be prepared for interviews and
internships.
“Knights Pantry and Closet are a free resource on campus that help to meet critical student basic needs. In meeting these needs, our students are able to explore their calling and purpose in their studies and launch into successful careers,”
says Dr. Liz Todd Byron, Executive Director of Experiential Learning and Community Engagement.
How Can You Help?
This Giving Tuesday, we are raising funds and awareness for Bellarmine University’s Student Emergency Needs Fund. This includes services like the Rev. John D. Deatrick ’55 Knights Pantry and Knights Closet. With 53% of our first-year students
demonstrating financial hardship, your gifts will allow us to meet our students where they are.
With your gift of $50, five students will receive emergency aid to cover unforeseen transportation expenses.
With your gift of $100, two students will receive assistance to purchase additional materials like equipment or scrubs for their classes.
With your gift of $200, you will supplement the Rev. John D. Deatrick ’55 Knights Pantry for one week during the 2025-2026 semester to include toiletries, feminine products, cleaning products, healthy produce options, and food that
meets dietary and cultural restrictions.
With your gift of $500, you can provide Emergency Financial Aid for unexpected expenses such as medical expenses, rent, or utilities.
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