The number of gifts received, and money donated in support of Washington State University’s food pantries more than doubled during this year’s Apple Cup Food Pantry Challenge.
WSU received a total of $29,424 from 236 gifts, greatly surpassing last year’s $12,677 total from 113 gifts. The money will be used to serve students and fight food insecurity on all six WSU campuses.
The University of Washington received more gifts than WSU (310) and raised $24,822. Since the competition was contingent on the number of gifts, UW was declared the winner of this year’s Apple Cup Food Pantry Challenge. However, as a friendly competition, students on both sides came out ahead.
Donations were accepted at both universities during the week leading to the Apple Cup football game on Sept. 6.
Two out of every five university students in Washington face food insecurity, according to a 2024 report by the Washington Student Achievement Council. During the 2024-2025 academic year, WSU food pantries collectively facilitated over 58,000 student visits.
Members of the Cougar community who missed the chance to give during the challenge can support the pantries any time of year by making a donation on the WSU Foundation website.
