Alabama State University News January 16, 2021 Whataburger Announces Partnership with ASU to Assist Students with a Resource Room Equipped with a Food Pantry and More! Whataburger - the Texas based nationally franchised fast-food chain - recently announced a partnership with Alabama State University to create a facility within the University's campus that will house a resource room, which will include a food pantry, a clothing closet and other resources for students needing additional support. The Montgomery Food Bank will join Whataburger in supporting the facility so that the ASU resource room's shelves are stocked year-round. The company revealed the ASU initiative at the recent groundbreaking ceremony held on January 13, in East Chase for the new Montgomery Whataburger location. The groundbreaking was attended by ASU President Quinton T. Ross, Jr. and Jennifer S. Anderson, executive director of the ASU Foundation. "The University is grateful for what Whataburger is doing to help our students with such basic needs as food security and other resources," said ASU President Ross. "Whataburger's efforts are in line with the University's focus on student success." WHATABURGER PUTS STUDENTS' NEEDS FIRST The company said that the room is being built to help look after the needs of students such as making sure that no one goes without basic necessities such as food items, hygiene products and other resources. "Whataburger knows that the dream of a college education can be quickly derailed when students struggle with basic needs," said Whataburger executives in a news release. Whataburger officials said they plan to open the resource room in April. ASU COMMITTEE IN PLACE TO COORDINATE EFFORT Anderson said that the initiative to help oversee the project will be led by the ASU Department of Social Work. "The committee will consist of ASU students, faculty and staff who will provide ongoing oversight and management for the student-operated room," Anderson said. "The committee will also seek to identify additional community partners to help stock the resource room with food supplies and basic hygiene needs." INITIATIVE HELPS TO EXPAND EXISTING FOOD PANTRY SERVICES "When we talk about the barriers to student success, food insecurity can certainly be one of them. The University has had a small food pantry for several years to address students' needs in that area. This new partnership with Whataburger will allow us to expand the size of the pantry and extend related services and resources for our students. We are extremely grateful to Whataburger for this innovative approach to partnering with Alabama State University," Ross added.