Sodexo Expands Hunger-Free Campus Efforts with The Colonel Closet and Nicholls State University

Sodexo has strengthened their partnership with The Colonel Closet and Nicholls State University to combat student hunger and food insecurity through the university’s Hunger Free Campus initiative.

The collaboration continues to grow beyond meal service. Sodexo is an active member of the Nicholls State University Hunger Free Task Force, partnering with multiple campus and community organizations to find new ways to connect students with essential resources. The Sodexo team also helped design the Hunger Free Campus graphics for The Colonel Closet and, with The Colonel Closet’s support by hosting a table at the event, recently held the Cooking for a Cause event during Hunger Action Month. The proceeds benefited Tillou's Table, which is supported by Sodexo’s Swipe Out Hunger Program to further assist students experiencing food insecurity and hunger. In another major step, SNAP benefits are now accepted at The Grid, further expanding food access for students who rely on federal assistance programs.

On Wednesday, October 22, The Colonel Closet purchased 300 hot lunches from Sodexo — baked BBQ chicken, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and bread rolls — which the dining team prepared and served in partnership with the organization. The event, themed “Wednesday” in honor of the Netflix series, drew strong student participation and distributed all meals within an hour.

“This partnership is about taking action,” said Russell Barrios, General Manager, Sodexo at Nicholls State University. “We share The Colonel Closet’s commitment to ensuring every student has access to good food and the resources they need to thrive.”

The event aligns with The Colonel Closet’s growing impact and recent financial support from three major community partners — the Bayou Community Foundation, the Louisiana Board of Regents, and Rouses Supermarkets — all of which are helping sustain and expand food access programs on campus.

The Bayou Community Foundation awarded The Colonel Closet a $10,000 grant for the third consecutive year to provide essential items such as food, cleaning supplies, and emergency financial assistance to students, faculty, and staff. The Louisiana Board of Regents also contributed a $10,000 grant to strengthen Nicholls’ Hunger Free Campus Awareness Program, enabling the distribution of prepared meals in partnership with Sodexo and Nicholls’ Dietetics program throughout the academic year. Additionally, Rouses Supermarkets renewed its support for the university’s Dairy Max cooler for the third year, providing dairy products free of charge to the Nicholls community.

“When the basic necessities of life are provided for, students will persevere in their studies and be successful in the larger mission of why they are here at Nicholls State University,” said Andi Sonnier, LMSW, Student Affairs Case Manager.

The Colonel Closet, launched through the Nicholls Office of Student Affairs, continues to serve as a vital resource for students and staff in need. In addition to food assistance, it provides clothing, household goods, and personal care items at no cost while also offering service hour opportunities, internships, and sustainability education.

Through the combined leadership of Nicholls State University and Sodexo, the Hunger Free Campus initiative is gaining momentum. With another plate lunch giveaway already scheduled for Spring 2026, both partners remain dedicated to reducing food insecurity and ensuring that every member of the Nicholls community has reliable access to nutritious meals and essential resources.