Coppin State University Celebrates Launch of Coppin Corner Food Resource Center

By Robyne McCullough

Coppin State University today launched Coppin Corner, a new on-campus resource committed to serving Coppin State students by providing basic needs to foster continued academic progress and increase the retention of students in need. Coppin Corner provides non-perishable food items, frozen foods, personal hygiene products, and cleaning supplies for registered Coppin State University students.
Coppin State University President Anthony L. Jenkins, Stephan Moore, Ed.D., vice president for enrollment and student affairs, and other members of the Coppin community participated in the ribbon cutting.

More than 34 million people and one in three Marylanders experience food insecurity, which can be caused by poverty, unemployment, or low income, lack of affordable housing, chronic health conditions and lack of health care access, as well as systemic racism and racial discrimination. Data from 2021 shows roughly 20 percent of the nearly 570,000 people living in Baltimore City are living in poverty, and nearly 83,000 people are considered food insecure. Additionally, nearly a quarter of Baltimore residents live in areas with limited access to healthy and affordable food, also known as food deserts.

“Coppin State is an anchor institution serving students from communities spanning from Baltimore to Australia. We educate students who are often supporting themselves, as well as their loved ones,” said President Jenkins. “Our faculty and staff work to equip our students not only with the education they need to achieve upward economic mobility, but also nutritious foods to build better, healthier lives. Coppin Corner will not solve every problem our students face; however, we are hopeful it will allow them to focus more on their studies, and less on where their next meal is coming from.”

According to most recent data, 66% of undergraduates at Coppin State received Pell grants, which help promote access to higher education for lower-income students. Efforts to launch the Coppin Corner on-campus food resource center began in 2022. During the 2022-2023 academic year, Coppin Corner held six grab and go food giveaways, which served an average of 164 students during each event.
“We understand it is difficult for students to learn when their very basic needs aren’t met,” said Dr. Moore. “We are excited about this opportunity to enhance our holistic support for our students and appreciate the commitment of our community partners to nurturing potential and transforming lives of students at Coppin State.”

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, students were invited to shop for food and other products ahead of the start of summer break and summer classes. Coppin Corner will operate year-round, and will be open during the summer months, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Coppin Corner is supported by donations and grants from private and community partners. Coppin Corner is dedicated to the late James “Winky” Camphor (‘51) and his wife Florine “Peaches” Camphor (’58), who have supported six endowed scholarships at Coppin, and championed assistance for students experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.