Have you realized you have more dining dollars than you’ll use this semester? Penn Staters can put these funds to use by donating them to students in need this Earth Week.

Now through Saturday, April 22, students can donate $5, $10, or $15 of extra funds from their meal plans to support fellow students. Throughout the week, students can donate at the dining halls or when ordering online using Penn State Eats.

Penn State has once again partnered with Swipe Out Hunger, a national nonprofit that partners with universities across the country to collect funds for students in need. Its reach extends to more than 550 campuses to help reduce food insecurity among higher education institutions. Organizations across campus, including Housing and Food Services, Student Affairs, and the student-run Lion’s Pantry have brought Swipe Out Hunger to support food security on campus.

The donations will help support an emergency fund for Penn State students facing food insecurity.

“The power of this program is palatable — students helping students,” Director of Student Care and Advocacy Anna Barone said. “Each dollar donated to the Student Emergency Fund helps students in need feel more secure, able to cover the costs of their basic, daily needs, and improve their ability to focus on learning and connecting. A Penn State experience should not just be about surviving, but thriving.”

Last spring, nearly $30,000 was raised through this campaign.

Penn State also provides year-round resources for students in need beyond the Swipe Out Hunger initiative. More information on these efforts can be found online.