Following Washington State College’s victory over the College of Washington through the inaugural Apple Cup Meals Problem final 12 months, Coug followers have one other alternative to point out the Dawgs their ardour for supporting college students and preventing starvation.
The second annual WSU/UW Apple Cup Meals Pantry Problem is underway, and followers of each colleges have until midnight on Saturday, Sept. 20 to donate in assist of their campus’ meals pantries. The college that raises essentially the most cash wins the competitors.
“Coug have been fairly fired up about final 12 months’s problem,” mentioned Ben Calabretta, director of the Heart for Civic Engagement. “Lots of people bear in mind how properly WSU did within the competitors, and with all our campuses getting concerned this 12 months, we count on much more folks will get entangled.”
Final 12 months the Apple Cup Meals Pantry Problem raised virtually $20,000 to assist the meals pantries at WSU and UW. Of that whole, WSU raised over $17,000 from 76 presents.
Maintaining with growing demand
With two out of 5 school college students – greater than 40% – dealing with meals insecurity throughout the nation, meals pantries are having a tough time maintaining with the demand.
It’s no totally different at WSU. Throughout 2024-2025, WSU’s pantries collectively facilitated over 58,000 pupil visits. The Pullman campus alone distributed a median of 25,000 kilos of meals per 30 days. Nonetheless, on account of restricted sources, every campus restricts the variety of gadgets college students can entry, weekly visits, or grocery vouchers college students obtain.
“Meals could be very costly, and we will’t rely solely on meals donations to fulfill the wants of our college students,” Calabretta mentioned. “That’s the reason the Apple Cup Meals Pantry Problem is necessary; it should make a giant distinction for college kids dealing with meals insecurity throughout the WSU system.”
All WSU campuses concerned
This 12 months, the cash WSU raises can be distributed to meals pantries and meals safety applications on all six campuses, primarily based upon every campus’ pupil inhabitants.
“At WSU Vancouver, we all know firsthand the impression our pantry has on pupil success,” mentioned Grant Yenney, director of improvement. “Coming collectively as one WSU group to assist that mission is extremely significant.”
Rafael Pruneda, director of improvement and alumni relations at WSU Tr-Cities, mentioned over 270 persons are anticipated to take part in his campus’ first-ever Cougar soccer watch social gathering on Sept. 13, every week earlier than WSU faces-off with the Huskies on the sector, and the Apple Cup Meals Pantry Problem can be promoted on the occasion.
The WSU International Campus doesn’t have a meals pantry, however a few of its college students expertise meals insecurity simply the identical. The International Campus Meals Voucher Program supplies college students with entry to grocery vouchers that can be utilized in any retailer throughout the nation. Andria Donnenwerth, director of pupil involvement on the International campus, mentioned this system helps a median of 300 college students every semester.
“This problem is about greater than elevating funds, it’s about displaying our on-line college students that their wants are seen and supported,” Donnenwerth mentioned. “Each donation helps us put groceries on the desk and hope of their hearts.”
The Apple Cup Meals Pantry Problem was an thought hatched in 2024 by Androu Luzader, a 2025 WSU graduate and former Cougar Meals Pantry advisory board member. It’s supposed to be a pleasant competitors to assist combat starvation amongst college students throughout the state. College and employees are inspired to assist unfold the phrase concerning the problem and may discover a hyperlink to particular social media graphics designed only for the occasion on the official website.
“Whereas we encourage people to embody the aggressive spirit that surrounds the Apple Cup, Calabretta mentioned, it is very important keep in mind that irrespective of which college wins this problem, it’s the college students who make the most of the meals pantries on each campuses which can be the true winners.”
