BRIDGEWATER, Va. – Last October, the Student Support Foundation (SSF) received news that its grant proposal had been selected for a major donation, paving the way for the creation of a new student resource hub.
For many students, balancing academics, work and personal life can be challenging. The SSF aims to ease that burden by providing resources that help students stay focused on their education while knowing their basic needs are supported.
“We apply for funding from the Morgridge Family Foundation each year, and they require support from the college administration as well,” faculty advisor Benjamin Erickson said. “Each year we receive donations from President Bushman and the Morgridge Family Foundation, which totals about $9,000 to $11,000 that goes directly back to students.”
The foundation helps reduce financial stress for students during the semester by collecting donations and distributing the funds to students through micro-grants.
“We generally give out $200–$400, which can be used for things like textbooks, food, gas or anything a student might encounter that they might not have immediate money to pay for,” Erickson said. He added that any student is eligible to apply for a micro-grant through a form on the Bridgewater College website.
Erickson said that big dream grants from the Morgridge Family Foundation can be applied for after a student club has been in existence for 10 years.
“That Big Dream Grant is a $25,000 grant that you can apply for, and you can use it anyway you want. Our group came up with The Perch,” Erickson said.
Brandy Sweigart, President of the SSF and a junior student at Bridgewater College, said The Perch’s mission is to create a welcoming environment where students can quickly access resources without judgment, helping ensure they have the support needed to stay focused on their academic success.
“Having that ability to even be able to get the food without having to leave campus and being able to get stuff for breaks is very valuable,” Sweigart said.
The need for programs like The Perch reflects a broader national trend. According to the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments, about 23% of undergraduate students experience food insecurity.
Erickson said The Perch, which will be located in the student life center, will offer a variety of grab-and-go items, including snacks, hygiene essentials, Uber gift cards to help with free rides to grocery stores or doctor appointments, and other everyday essentials that students may need throughout the day.
Research from Georgetown University shows that more than 700 college campuses in the United States now operate food pantries or similar basic-needs programs, a number that has grown significantly over the past decade.
“We’ve helped hundreds of students over time with textbooks, medical bills, gas for their cars, food, and a number of different items,” Erickson said. “We’ve been doing that for 10 years.”
According to Inside Higher Ed, many colleges have expanded their basic-needs programs to include more than just food. These resource hubs often provide hygiene products, school supplies and other essentials to help students manage daily expenses.
Erickson said The Perch does not currently have a set opening date and will begin as a one-time project for the SSF, giving the organization about three years to collect student feedback and evaluate its success.
The Student Support Foundation meets weekly, and students interested in supporting its mission are encouraged to contact faculty advisor Benjamin Erickson or President Brandy Sweigart for more information.
