Student success wraparound services at Metropolitan State University of Denver received a financial boost thanks to the generosity of a homegrown Colorado financial institution.
Ent Credit Union made an impactful $50,000 gift to the University, split evenly between Rowdy’s Corner and the Student Emergency Fund. Ent has supported the mobile pantry at MSU Denver in partnership with SECORCares for over two years and provides free financial education classes on campus.
“When we saw the work being done to provide food with dignity to students at MSU Denver, we knew we had to partner,” said Annie Snead, senior manager of community advocacy. “Our commitment to helping students of all ages starts with making sure their basic needs are met; this includes providing a nourishing meal and making sure they feel financially empowered.”
Rowdy’s Corner
Each semester, Rowdy’s Corner focuses on their mission of “Food for All” to meet an ever-growing need for food assistance at MSU Denver and create an environment where Roadrunners are comfortable asking for help.
“I’ve felt a lot of judgment from classmates for wanting to use the food pantry – they’d say only people who are really broke should use it,” said MSU Denver student Rosa Serrano-Bann. “Rowdy’s Corner benefits so many students by reducing the stigma.”
The number of students who visit each week has only grown over time, with no signs of slowing down, which necessitated moving into a larger space one year ago. Over the past year, Rowdy’s Corner has seen nearly 200% growth in weekly student visits; so far, fall 2023 semester visits have increased by more than 71% over fall 2022. In addition to free food, Roadrunners now have access to wellness products, school supplies, appliances for heating food, public-benefits support and more in a centralized location.
Roadrunners will have a special opportunity to support Rowdy’s Corner during Roadrunner Tuesday on Tuesday, Nov. 28. Learn more HERE.
Student Emergency Fund
Of the 39 million people in the U.S. who have taken some college classes but never graduated, one of the top reasons cited for stopping out is the financial burden.
MSU Denver established the Student Emergency Fund in 2018 to support Roadrunners experiencing financial stress due to unexpected emergencies or unanticipated life events, helping them persist in their educational journeys when they might have otherwise dropped out.
One recipient, who requested they remain anonymous, was in a dire financial situation after their car broke down; they could not make up a rent shortfall despite taking on two additional jobs.
“I was so afraid my children and I would be homeless while we waited to move into income-based housing,” they said. “The Student Emergency Fund was there for me when I had nowhere else to turn. Thanks to the help of donors, I am on my path to achieving my educational goals.”
Each semester, the Student Emergency Fund fills dozens of requests for help with rent/mortgage payments, medical expenses, emergency housing, utilities, etc., freeing students from their financial worries and allowing them to focus on earning their degrees.
It is only possible to offer MSU Denver students these resources because of support from donors like Ent Credit Union, whose generosity is instrumental in fighting food insecurity, eliminating the stigma of accessing free food and providing our students with emergency financial relief.
Having access to these resources makes it possible for Roadrunners to succeed in the classroom, thrive in their personal lives and become tomorrow’s changemakers.
Support the well-being of MSU Denver students by making your gift today.