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By Maegan Murray, ������ Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. – To help curb food insecurity among college students and especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Lamb Weston announced a donation of $25,000 to the Washington State University Tri-Cities Cougar Cupboard as part of Giving Tuesday on Dec. 1.

The Cougar Cupboard is a food pantry program that allows students to access individual food items or pick-up a package of food for themselves and their families. It features both fresh and pre-packaged food and toiletry items.

The $25,000 Lamb Weston donation actualizes on the third year of a three-year naming sponsorship totaling $75,000. The $25,000 gift will continue to support costs to run the Cougar Cupboard and provide food to ������ Tri-Cities students and their families throughout the next year.

“We are incredibly grateful for the continuous support of Lamb Weston,” ������ Tri-Cities Chancellor Sandra Haynes said. “Things can be difficult amid the pandemic. This support goes a long way to help students and their families by allowing them to continue their education. Students don’t have to make the choice between eating or continuing with their college education in pursuit of a brighter future.”

Deb Dihel, vice president innovation for Lamb Weston, said Lamb Weston is proud to continue its partnership with ������ Tri-Cities.

“We understand the need students have for affordable ways to feed themselves and their families,” she said. “For the last two years, we have seen our investment in the Cougar Cupboard leveraged to provide students safe and discreet access to nutritious foods.”

Haynes said food insecurity is often a negatively stigmatized topic. The Cougar Cupboard, she said, helps to reduce that stigma and normalize the challenge.

“With even more people seeking help during this unprecedented year, we want to make sure that the ������ Tri-Cities Cougar Cupboard has the staff and supplies necessary to meet the needs of students to keep them on-track and focused on their education in pursuit of a productive and rewarding career,” Dihel said.

For more information about the ������ Tri-Cities Cougar Cupboard, visit tricities.wsu.edu/finaid/foodbank.

Media contacts:

Maegan Murray, ������ Tri-Cities assistant director of marketing and communication, 619-403-3617 (cell), maegan_murray@wsu.edu

Deb Dihel, vice president innovation and co-chair of Lamb Weston’s giving committee, 509-375-9798, Deb.Dihel@lambweston.com