What is the Give a Swipe Program?

The Give a Swipe program enables you to support food security on campus. We have partnered with other departments on campus, (Office of Student Assistance, Student Wellness, Financial Aid, International Students & Scholars, and Student Counseling Services) to help identify students in need to receive these meals. The meals collected during donation week, December 1-5, 2025, will be available all semester.

Last year 300 emergency meals were donated to distribute to students across campus!

Gold & Campanile can donate:
2 meal swipes OR
$16 in Dining Dollars OR
1 swipe and $8 in Dining Dollars

Cardinal can donate:
2 GUEST meal swipes OR
$16 in Dining Dollars OR
1 GUEST swipe and $8 in Dining Dollars

Those with block plans or just Dining Dollars can donate up to 2 meal swipes, $16 in Dining Dollars, or half and half.

Donate Today

What is Food Insecurity?

Food insecurity “is one way we can measure and assess the risk of hunger.” According to Feeding America, one in nine Iowans are food insecure. The United Way of Story County reports that 15.5% of Story County residents report being food insecure.

Food insecurity can affect students in a number of ways: It can cause serious health issues, lead to financial hardships (having to pay a bill versus eating dinner) and hamper a student’s learning ability.

Are College Students Really Food Insecure?

The short answer is, yes. In the 2017 ISU Campus Climate survey, it was found that 40% of the students who completed the survey struggled to provide food for themselves. In other research, 35-40% of college students nationwide report that they have experienced food insecurity during their college career. Across the country, 1 in 7 students regularly skip meals because of financial burden.

How to Receive Meals

If you are a student who needs to access these emergency meals, please reach out to any of the following partners of the Give A Swipe program.

Other Campus and Community Resources That Support Food Access