Swipe Out Hunger Acquires the College and University Food Bank Alliance

Campus pantries can fill out this interest form to gain access to Swipe Out Hunger resources under this acquisition.

Swipe Out Hunger Invites 800+ New Members to Its Network

October 21, 2021 – Today, the leading national nonprofit working to end college student food insecurity, Swipe Out Hunger announced its acquisition of the College and University Food Bank Alliance (CUFBA), a professional organization of campuses focused on alleviating food insecurity among college students across the United States.

According to a recent report by Chegg.org and Swipe Out Hunger, nearly one third (29%) of college students have missed a meal at least once a week since the beginning of the pandemic—and community food pantries have helped. During the pandemic, more than half of all students (52%) use off-campus food banks and 30% use them once or more.

College food pantries play a meaningful role in supporting a student’s food insecurity—evident in the more than 800 campuses that have signed on as CUFBA members since it began in 2012. Recognizing the growing demand for college pantries since the pandemic started, CUFBA sought a partner with sound infrastructure to meet the moment. Swipe Out Hunger, with more than 140 colleges in 41 states, has become an expert in best practices around college food security programs since 2010.

“As a student, I’ve seen firsthand how campus pantries can significantly contribute to students’ ability to succeed in college,” said Michael Higgins, Student and Co-Founder/Chair of The Food Pantry at Columbia. “It cannot be underestimated how many students rely upon this resource and it’s exciting that Swipe Out Hunger is continuing to provide a pathway for colleges to support their students’ food security.”

This acquisition marks an exciting moment by bringing a wealth of college anti-hunger expertise under one roof. Not only have Swipe Out Hunger and CUFBA been working together since the beginning of 2015, but also nearly two-thirds (64%) of Swipe Out Hunger existing campuses are already CUFBA members.

“We wanted to make sure that colleges and their students had the support necessary to address campus hunger and Swipe Out Hunger felt like a natural home to continue CUFBA’s work,” said Brandon L. Mathews, Co-Director of CUFBA. “We’re excited for CUFBA members to have access to and collaborate with an engaged network of Swipe Out Hunger partners who are innovating to address the needs of their students.”

CUFBA members are welcomed to join the Swipe Out Hunger network and are offered the same ongoing consultation, individualized support and evaluation, development opportunities, and expansive community that all Swipe Out Hunger campuses currently receive. Through this launch, Swipe Out Hunger has established a $100,000 fund to distribute microgrants to campus pantries who join the network. Swipe Out Hunger is also integrating CUFBA’s best practices into its own curriculum to ensure its entire campus network has access to the tools, guides, and information to bolster their food security efforts.

“CUFBA has played an enormous role in galvanizing hundreds of colleges to support students’ basic needs over the last decade,” says Rachel Sumekh, Founder and CEO of Swipe Out Hunger. “It is an incredible honor to welcome the CUFBA members into our growing movement, all under the shared vision of ensuring no student has to choose between their education and food.”

As there are not any full-time employees at CUFBA, no staff will be acquired in this acquisition. Swipe Out Hunger will continue guiding campuses on meal swipe donation programs, national advocacy work and student empowerment. This work is supported by individuals and foundations who are invested in the success of students.

About Swipe Out Hunger
Swipe Out Hunger is a national nonprofit committed to ending college student hunger. It works with colleges and universities to design and implement a range of anti-hunger programs, including “The Swipe Drive” which enables students to donate meals to their peers facing food insecurity on campus. Swipe Out Hunger promotes on-campus solutions, policy and advocacy, and student empowerment practices to address college food insecurity. Recognized for its entrepreneurial nature, Swipe Out Hunger has been named an Obama White House Champion For Change and its founder, Rachel Sumekh, has landed a spot on the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. From its beginnings as a grassroots movement at UCLA in 2010, Swipe Out Hunger has since served 2.5 million nourishing meals across 41 states and more than 140 campuses. For more information, visit swipehunger.org.


Media Contact:
Tenille Metti Bowling
Director of Communications, Swipe Out Hunger
[email protected]

Former CUFBA members and existing Swipe Out Hunger partners who have college pantries should fill out this interest form to gain access to Swipe Out Hunger resources, like the $100,000 microgrant fund, under this acquisition.