ALLIANCE — The University of Mount Union is proud to announce the opening of its first on-campus food and clothing pantry, Raiders Cove. 

National data published in Inside Higher Ed by the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice found that 41 percent of four-year university students in America are food insecure. Raiders Cove is focused on helping ensure that students have access to food, hygiene items, clothing and more. 

A recent survey of more than 200 Mount Union students found that having these resources available would be beneficial to them. Nearly half of those surveyed stated that they struggled to purchase groceries while in college. When asked if they would go to a place on campus to help with such personal issues, 51 percent of respondents indicated that they would, making Raiders Cove an exciting addition to Mount Union’s campus. 

Raiders Cove held its grand opening on February 12 and is now available to all Mount Union students. There, they have access to non-perishable food and hygiene items at no cost to them. Additional resources, including a clothing thrift store, will be available later in the semester. 

The resource center is open to anyone wishing to volunteer or receive items. Mount Union invites current students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to donate and be involved. The only requirement is a one-time membership form. Membership cards will be distributed to all new visitors to use in future visits. Items can be taken as often as once a week. 

The initiative is sponsored by AmeriCorps, ServeOhio, Campus Compact and Student Resource Center, with support on campus from The Regula Center for Public Service and Civic Engagement, the Center for Student Success and the Offices of the Chaplain and President.

Raiders Cove is conveniently located on campus in King Residence Hall, rooms 111, 112, 113 and 114. The hours of operation are as follows: 

• Sunday - noon – 3 p.m.
• Wednesday - 8 a.m. - noon and 3 – 6 p.m.
• Thursday - 8 a.m. – noon

To learn more about Raiders Cove, including how to donate items or volunteer, visit mountunion.edu/raiders-cove or contact the Raiders Cove representative at americorps@mountunion.edu.