Swipe Out Hunger allows Cornell students to donate “bonus meals for guests” from their current meal plan each semester. Donated meals are collected and placed in a “Swipe Out Hunger fund,” and Cornell students who meet eligibility requirements will be given access to a “Swipe Out Hunger meal plan.” Participating students can use the meal plan in any of Cornell Dining’s Dining Rooms.
Cornell Dining has partnered with Swipe Out Hunger and Cornell's Dean of Students' Office to fight food insecurity on campus.
Free, confidential access to food and personal care items is available to Cornell undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Cornell staff and faculty, at the Cornell Food Pantry, located at 109 McGraw Place.
Who can receive free meals?
Any Cornell students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) who are experiencing food insecurity, or limited food access.
The student will be contacted by a representative from the FGLI office regarding their inquiry into the program. All inquiries and use of the program are confidential.
How do students donate meals?
Students can donate their “bonus meals for guests” from a current meal plan that includes bonus meals for guests. Bonus meals for guests can be donated each semester by visiting https://mealplan.scl.cornell.edu/soh.
Bonus meals are eligible to be donated because they are not designated solely for a meal plan owner’s individual use.
Why is there a limit on the number of meals a student can donate each semester?
Currently, if every plan holder donated one bonus meal per semester, that would cover identified needs. We continue to review participation and identified needs and adjust permitted donations appropriately.
Why is this program being implemented?
Food insecurity is a growing issue among college students. A person experiencing food insecurity may occasionally or frequently run out of money to buy food or run out of food before they have the resources to purchase more. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 3 college students experience food insecurity.
Who is Swipe Out Hunger?
Swipe Out Hunger is the leading nonprofit organization addressing hunger amongst college students. Founded by a group of friends at UCLA in 2010, it has grown campus by campus into a national movement serving over 1.5 million nutritious meals to date. It has partnerships with 62 universities, including Cornell University.
