Southeastern Food Pantry receives $10,000 Food Love Grant from Popeyes Foundation

Roomie’s Pride Pantry at Southeastern Louisiana University has been awarded a $10,000 grant through the 2025 Food Love Grant from the Popeyes Foundation to expand its services for students and staff experiencing food insecurity.

Founded to address the growing need for basic food access on campus, Roomie’s Pride Pantry has become a cornerstone of support for the Southeastern community. The pantry currently serves nearly 300 individuals each month, providing over 500 pantry visits, ensuring students and staff have access to nutritious food.

In addition to monthly services, the pantry distributes emergency food bags for students who remain in Hammond during school breaks, when campus food services are limited. Through partnerships with community groups, the pantry also provides shared meals and fellowship opportunities, helping students feel supported and connected year-round.

“This grant allows us to strengthen our mission of promoting well-being and supporting every Lion who may be struggling with food insecurity,” said Coordinator of Roomie’s Pride Pantry Thais Lindemayer Gomes. “We are deeply grateful to the Popeyes Foundation for investing in the success and well-being of our Southeastern community. This work is not done alone—the pantry operates within the Office for Student Engagement, supported by dedicated professional staff, student workers, and volunteers whose contributions I deeply appreciate. I would also like to recognize the contributions of our intern Linh Khanh Truong and graduate assistant Patrick O’Neill, who both played key roles in preparing the grant application.”

The Food Love Grant is part of the Popeyes Foundation’s commitment to supporting nonprofits that serve food to those in need. With this funding, Roomie’s Pride Pantry will improve resources for students and staff, and continue to foster a culture of care on campus, Gomes said.

For more information about Roomie’s Pride Pantry and to learn how to support the mission, contact [email protected], call 985-549-2248, or visit www.southeastern.edu/foodpantry.