Lift Up Vikes! Lifts Spirits and Lives
Cleveland State University is committed to student success. But what if students who are hungry to learn are also just plain hungry?
Class attendance drops off … grades suffer … the dream of earning a college degree is dashed by the harsh reality of life and the need to survive.
CSU’s Lift Up Vikes!, a resource center and food pantry, provides food and other assistance for hungry and homeless students in a convenient, dignified and compassionate manner.
“Lift Up Vikes! plays a critical role in the life of many low-income students by providing a solution to food insecurity and addressing non-academic needs that lead to poor academic performance,” says Boyd Yarbrough, vice president for student affairs.
“Lift Up Vikes! helps students stay in school and graduate by changing the trajectory of their lives, helping to lift them out of generational poverty, and perhaps most importantly, helping them maintain their pride and dignity.”
Started in February 2016 as an expansion of the CSU Women’s Center food pantry, the program meets a real and growing need – during its first year, more than 400 students were assisted during 1,737 visits, including 82 minor children of student-parents. On average, 15 students are fed per day.
While maintaining confidentiality, Lift Up Vikes! provides those in need with fresh produce, meat and dairy, nonperishable food, personal care and household items, laundry facilities, a kitchen, lockers, and workshops on financial planning and other topics.
Lift Up Vikes! has distributed over 35,000 pounds of food to students in need. Food is purchased at a deep discount from the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and delivered weekly. In addition, Orlando Bakery donates 60 loaves of bread or bags of rolls weekly and food is donated by the campus community.
To support Lift Up Vikes!, call 216-687-5105 to discuss food donations. Please note: Clothing donations are not accepted.
Nonperishable food items are assigned a point value. Students may visit the pantry once a week and select up to 15 points of nonperishables and eight pounds of perishable food.
Lift Up Vikes! also connects students with Dress for Success and Suited for Men for clothing assistance, as well as with community resources for utility and housing assistance.
The program does not give money to students; 100 percent of support for Lift Up Vikes! comes from private donations.
The College and University Food Bank Alliance identifies food insecurity as a growing reality on campuses.
Students experience food insecurity when they eat less to make food supplies last or skip meals due to lack of food. Food-insecure students frequently must choose between food or textbooks, rent or medicine.
It is conservatively estimated that more than 40 percent of CSU’s 17,000-plus students are in need of assistance.
Jillian Keller, program director, says she is inspired daily by students visiting the pantry.
“If someone can study and attend classes while wondering when they will eat again or where they will sleep, imagine what they will accomplish when these basic needs are met,” she says. “They will be rock stars.”
IN THEIR WORDS...
“Lift Up Vikes! has helped me tremendously by giving me the brain food needed to get through college and feed my family.”
Father. Part-time student, Class of 2020
“I was having a rough week and didn’t have anything to eat at home. Lift Up Vikes! could not have come at a better time.”
Female. Full-time pre-med student. Class of 2020
“I am grateful for food I am able to procure weekly to help feed myself and my family. It lowers my stress levels and saves me time that I can put towards studying.”
Full-time student. Military Veteran. Class of 2019
CSU's FOREST CITY CORPORATE ALUMNI CHAPTER ORGANIZED A JEANS DAY TO SUPPORT LIFT UP VIKES!
For a minimum contribution of $5, employees were allowed to wear jeans to work every Friday for a month. The result —
$2,163 was donated to Lift Up Vikes! Thank you.
Also in This Issue...
The Dollars (and Sense) of Higher Education
CSU tackles rising costs and low degree rates by speeding time to graduation, expanding financial aid, and reducing student debt.
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Learning Commons Promotes Collaboration
Peek into the new Judy and Robert H. Rawson, Jr. Learning Commons in the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and you might marvel at what you see.
Fostering Hope and Student Success
Without family, emotional and financial support, and skills to make it on their own, the prospects for success are indeed grim for emancipated foster youth. That’s where CSU and insightful donors are making a world of difference.
A Message from the President
President Berkman applauds CSU’s resilience amid challenges, empowering "Engaged Learning" across campus — from hybrid classes and Zoom to labs and dorms — united in community strength.
AHA! CSU Hosts Arts and Humanities Festival
Immerse yourself in books, theater, music, art, dance and ideas at CSU’s inaugural Arts and Humanities Alive! (AHA!) Festival, taking place Wednesday through Friday, June 7-9.
Kudos to Cleveland State
Campus International School, the innovative partnership between CSU and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, continues to earn national notice, receiving the Shirley S. Schwartz Urban Impact Award from the Council of Great City Schools.
New on Campus
CSU has unveiled new facilities and resources: upgraded labs, smart classrooms, improved residence halls, and renovated student spaces — all enhancing learning, research, and campus life.
Nursing Collaborations Enhance Health Care
CSU and St. Vincent Charity Medical Center are expanding their collaborations to bolster the academic and medical hub in the Campus District.
Serving Those Who Served
They served their country. Now Cleveland State University is serving veterans by helping them transition from the military to civilian life and college student.
Students Engage Alumni to Support CSU
The next time your phone rings, it might be Cleveland State calling. The University strives to keep in contact with alumni through social media, email and yes, even mail and telephone.
Undergrads Hone Research Skills
It’s almost summer and most CSU students will be taking a break from classes and studying. But not 59 students who were selected for participation in the 2017 Undergraduate Summer Research Award Program, funded by the CSU Office of Research.
Campaign is Over-the-Top Success
Publicly launched two years ago, ENGAGE: The Campaign for Cleveland State University, was the first-ever fundraising effort of its kind for the University.
Alumni Recognition Awards
The Fenn Tower ballroom was sizzling – and not because it was 60-plus degrees on a mid-January evening. It was sizzling with excitement, cheers and applause as the audience saluted the first recipients of CSU’s Alumni Recognition Awards.
Leadership and Empowerment in the Spotlight at Women’s Symposium
Enlightened, entertained, informed, inspired and empowered. That’s how 500-plus participants felt following CSU’s third annual Women’s Leadership Symposium, “Be Amazing.”
On the Road with CSUAA
It was fun in the sun – five times over – when the Alumni Association traveled to Texas, Florida and Arizona to engage with graduates at special events.
Vowed Vikings Share Love Stories
Love was in the air…and the Alumni Association celebrated by asking Vikings to share their love stories.
Class Notes – Summer 2017
The Dollars (and Sense) of Higher Education
CSU tackles rising costs and low degree rates by speeding time to graduation, expanding financial aid, and reducing student debt.
Fostering Hope and Student Success
Without family, emotional and financial support, and skills to make it on their own, the prospects for success are indeed grim for emancipated foster youth. That’s where CSU and insightful donors are making a world of difference.
AHA! CSU Hosts Arts and Humanities Festival
Immerse yourself in books, theater, music, art, dance and ideas at CSU’s inaugural Arts and Humanities Alive! (AHA!) Festival, taking place Wednesday through Friday, June 7-9.
New on Campus
CSU has unveiled new facilities and resources: upgraded labs, smart classrooms, improved residence halls, and renovated student spaces — all enhancing learning, research, and campus life.
Serving Those Who Served
They served their country. Now Cleveland State University is serving veterans by helping them transition from the military to civilian life and college student.
Undergrads Hone Research Skills
It’s almost summer and most CSU students will be taking a break from classes and studying. But not 59 students who were selected for participation in the 2017 Undergraduate Summer Research Award Program, funded by the CSU Office of Research.
Alumni Recognition Awards
The Fenn Tower ballroom was sizzling – and not because it was 60-plus degrees on a mid-January evening. It was sizzling with excitement, cheers and applause as the audience saluted the first recipients of CSU’s Alumni Recognition Awards.
On the Road with CSUAA
It was fun in the sun – five times over – when the Alumni Association traveled to Texas, Florida and Arizona to engage with graduates at special events.
Class Notes – Summer 2017
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Learning Commons Promotes Collaboration
Peek into the new Judy and Robert H. Rawson, Jr. Learning Commons in the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and you might marvel at what you see.
A Message from the President
President Berkman applauds CSU’s resilience amid challenges, empowering "Engaged Learning" across campus — from hybrid classes and Zoom to labs and dorms — united in community strength.
Kudos to Cleveland State
Campus International School, the innovative partnership between CSU and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, continues to earn national notice, receiving the Shirley S. Schwartz Urban Impact Award from the Council of Great City Schools.
Nursing Collaborations Enhance Health Care
CSU and St. Vincent Charity Medical Center are expanding their collaborations to bolster the academic and medical hub in the Campus District.
Students Engage Alumni to Support CSU
The next time your phone rings, it might be Cleveland State calling. The University strives to keep in contact with alumni through social media, email and yes, even mail and telephone.
Campaign is Over-the-Top Success
Publicly launched two years ago, ENGAGE: The Campaign for Cleveland State University, was the first-ever fundraising effort of its kind for the University.
Leadership and Empowerment in the Spotlight at Women’s Symposium
Enlightened, entertained, informed, inspired and empowered. That’s how 500-plus participants felt following CSU’s third annual Women’s Leadership Symposium, “Be Amazing.”
Vowed Vikings Share Love Stories
Love was in the air…and the Alumni Association celebrated by asking Vikings to share their love stories.
The Dollars (and Sense) of Higher Education
CSU tackles rising costs and low degree rates by speeding time to graduation, expanding financial aid, and reducing student debt.
A Message from the President
President Berkman applauds CSU’s resilience amid challenges, empowering "Engaged Learning" across campus — from hybrid classes and Zoom to labs and dorms — united in community strength.
New on Campus
CSU has unveiled new facilities and resources: upgraded labs, smart classrooms, improved residence halls, and renovated student spaces — all enhancing learning, research, and campus life.
Students Engage Alumni to Support CSU
The next time your phone rings, it might be Cleveland State calling. The University strives to keep in contact with alumni through social media, email and yes, even mail and telephone.
Alumni Recognition Awards
The Fenn Tower ballroom was sizzling – and not because it was 60-plus degrees on a mid-January evening. It was sizzling with excitement, cheers and applause as the audience saluted the first recipients of CSU’s Alumni Recognition Awards.
Vowed Vikings Share Love Stories
Love was in the air…and the Alumni Association celebrated by asking Vikings to share their love stories.
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Learning Commons Promotes Collaboration
Peek into the new Judy and Robert H. Rawson, Jr. Learning Commons in the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and you might marvel at what you see.
AHA! CSU Hosts Arts and Humanities Festival
Immerse yourself in books, theater, music, art, dance and ideas at CSU’s inaugural Arts and Humanities Alive! (AHA!) Festival, taking place Wednesday through Friday, June 7-9.
Nursing Collaborations Enhance Health Care
CSU and St. Vincent Charity Medical Center are expanding their collaborations to bolster the academic and medical hub in the Campus District.
Undergrads Hone Research Skills
It’s almost summer and most CSU students will be taking a break from classes and studying. But not 59 students who were selected for participation in the 2017 Undergraduate Summer Research Award Program, funded by the CSU Office of Research.
Leadership and Empowerment in the Spotlight at Women’s Symposium
Enlightened, entertained, informed, inspired and empowered. That’s how 500-plus participants felt following CSU’s third annual Women’s Leadership Symposium, “Be Amazing.”
Class Notes – Summer 2017
Fostering Hope and Student Success
Without family, emotional and financial support, and skills to make it on their own, the prospects for success are indeed grim for emancipated foster youth. That’s where CSU and insightful donors are making a world of difference.
Kudos to Cleveland State
Campus International School, the innovative partnership between CSU and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, continues to earn national notice, receiving the Shirley S. Schwartz Urban Impact Award from the Council of Great City Schools.
Serving Those Who Served
They served their country. Now Cleveland State University is serving veterans by helping them transition from the military to civilian life and college student.
Campaign is Over-the-Top Success
Publicly launched two years ago, ENGAGE: The Campaign for Cleveland State University, was the first-ever fundraising effort of its kind for the University.
On the Road with CSUAA
It was fun in the sun – five times over – when the Alumni Association traveled to Texas, Florida and Arizona to engage with graduates at special events.