Ramapo College Receives $51K Grant To Fight Student Hunger

MAHWAH, NJ — Ramapo College has received a $51,000 state grant to help hungry students facing food insecurity, school officials announced.

Mahwah's public liberal art college said the cash will fund the expansion of the school's food pantry and subsidized meal program for students in need. It will also fund local farmer's market field trips.

“We are so honored and pleased to use the awarded grant funds to further student well-being at Ramapo,” President Cindy Jebb said.

The funds come courtesy of the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education.

Stephan Lally, a 2020 Ramapo graduate who was a lead architect of student relief efforts while in college, said that the grant is a "product of years of hard work from students, staff and faculty across the college." He now serves as an advisor to the speaker and director of appointments in the New Jersey Assembly Democratic office, according to his LinkedIn.

His efforts helped yield the establishment of the WeCare Program, which is an integral part of the college's approach to end food insecurity.

Its Student Relief Fund provides qualifying students with one-time grants of up to $300, according to the WeCare website.

"The WeCare Program is instrumental in helping (Ramapo students) complete their degrees," Lally said, "and this funding will only increase its impact on campus."