SECU, Maryland’s largest state-chartered credit union, and The Universities at Shady Grove (USG), part of the University System of Maryland, have entered an official partnership agreement this spring to combat food insecurity on college campuses. The partnership expands on the foundation laid by SECU’s fall 2024 Kindness Campaign, where the credit union’s grand act of kindness involved distributing essential items to campus pantries at universities across the state.
SECU’s tireless work to combat food insecurity and promote holistic wellness for Marylanders is in response to a recent research study from Johns Hopkins and the Bloomberg School of Public Health that found students from food-insecure households were 43 percent less likely to graduate from college and 61 percent less likely to obtain a graduate or professional degree, compared to non-food-insecure students. As part of the credit union’s two-year partnership with USG, SECU leadership and staff will host and lead several financial literacy workshops and wellness sessions for USG students, staff and employees, as well as workshops with graduating seniors in addition to pledging $20,000 in financial support.
“Giving back is truly in our DNA at SECU, and it’s more important now than ever to ensure that students of all ages and backgrounds have their most basic needs met in order to succeed – in the classroom, on campus and in their day-to-day lives,” said Annie Weinschenk, SECU Senior Manager, University Partnerships. “Students deserve to be able to give their all to their studies and bettering themselves without wondering where their next meal will come from, or if they have the essentials needed. Taking care of the next generation means a commitment to overall wellness, not just financial wellness, and our partnership with the Universities at Shady Grove does just that.”
USG’s food pantry, Grover Essentials, was opened in August 2018 to provide supplemental food and necessities to contribute to the well-being and success of the wider USG community, providing all-important food access to the diverse working student population. The program has been a tremendous success and continues to grow– the “Grab-and-Go” feature has seen a 117% increase in activity compared to September 2023, with 45% of recent scholarship recipients surveyed increasingly worried about funding and food access programs.
USG students and staff can access any of the pantry’s three major components and services using their campus ID and visiting the front desk of the USG Student Services Office:
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Grab-and-Go Snacks – The snack station provides a variety of free pre-packaged, grab-and-go snacks Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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Grab-and-Go Customizable Toiletry Bags – Students are offered a selection of hygiene items such as soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and deodorants (inventory may vary). Every 2 weeks, students can choose three toiletry items Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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Grover Essentials After Hours – Students can visit outside of normal business hours by simply making an appointment and picking up grab-and-go bags of essentials at designated lockers outside of the USG Student Services Office on evenings and weekends.
“At The Universities at Shady Grove, we are committed to tackling food insecurity, which is a reality on college campuses nationwide. Student success and achievement of academic pursuits greatly connects to overall well-being,” said Dr. Anne Khademian, Executive Director, The Universities at Shady Grove. “We are grateful for SECU’s continued partnership and generous support, which ensures we can prioritize our students’ wellness alongside their educational journey. Together, we’re removing barriers to success and creating an environment where every student can thrive both in and out of the classroom.”
To learn more about SECU, its partnerships and its commitment to wellness for Marylanders at every age and every stage of life, visit secumd.org or secumdfoundation.org.
About SECU (State Employees’ Credit Union of Maryland)
SECU (“see-Q”), Maryland’s largest state-chartered credit union, serves over 250,000 members via 21 Financial Centers across the state, including, 18 Financial Centers, 3 Digital Centers, and a Virtual Financial Center. As a member-owned, not-for-profit organization, SECU puts its members first. Membership is open to all of Maryland, with over 1,900 ways to join, you may be eligible through a family member, work, the college you attended, state employment, an organization you are affiliated with, or simply through a one-time donation to SECU’s partner, the SECU MD Foundation. Headquartered in Linthicum, Md., SECU offers convenient access to over 50,000 free ATMs through the CO-OP network, as well as access to expert financial planners. With more than $5 billion in assets, SECU ranks among the top 60 credit unions nationwide based on total assets in the U.S. Insured by NCUA. For more information, visit www.secumd.org or follow SECU on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.
About The Universities at Shady Grove (USG)
Established in 2000, The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) drives student success from the classroom to career, serving upper-level undergraduates and graduate students seeking to complete their degree from one of Maryland’s nine public universities. USG’s innovative approach to higher education connects students to outstanding career opportunities, while providing regional employers with a highly educated, skilled workforce. On USG’s campus, conveniently located in Rockville in Montgomery County, nine University System of Maryland universities offer degree programs that map to USG’s four industry hubs: Engineering and Technology; Health and Life Sciences; Business Enterprise; and Public Service, Education, and Social Sciences. Students apply directly to the university of their choice. They select USG as their preferred campus location, and their degree is awarded by their university. At USG, students complete their degree with their university’s professors and curriculum while benefiting from USG’s small class sizes, increased scholarship opportunities, and customized support services and student life opportunities — all leading to a personalized, cost-effective, and time-saving path to degree completion.
