Scholarship America Donates Event Meals to Support College Students Facing Food Insecurity

Washington, D.C. — November 13, 2025 — In the wake of widespread air travel cancellations that disrupted its annual Partner Convening and Irving Innovation Awards in Washington, D.C., Scholarship America is ensuring that no good effort goes to waste.

The nonprofit announced that all catered food from the postponed events will be donated to local college students participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The donation, made in collaboration with local partners including Windows Catering, will provide hundreds of fresh meals to students navigating food insecurity during finals season.

Nationally, it’s estimated that 23% of college students face some form of food insecurity, and 1.1 million are recipients of SNAP assistance.

“Our mission has always been about putting students first,” said Mike Nylund, CEO of Scholarship America. “While travel disruptions changed our plans, they also gave us the opportunity to act on that mission in a tangible way — by redirecting resources to students who need them most.”

“We are deeply appreciative of Scholarship America’s generosity and continued partnership,” said University of the District of Columbia President Maurice D. Edington. “This act of service reflects the shared values of our institutions – supporting students and removing barriers to their success.”

The organization’s planned Partner Convening and Irving Innovation Awards will now take place digitally, offering a series of webinars and student success spotlights through early 2026. This expanded format ensures that discussions about innovation in scholarship management and student equity continue to reach a national audience.

“At Voya, we are proud of our long-standing partnership with Scholarship America and the shared commitment to creating opportunities for students. We applaud their ability to turn an unexpected change of plans into a meaningful act: providing meals to those in need,” said Angela Harrell, Chief Purpose, Talent & Inclusion Officer at Voya Financial, a sponsor of both events. “This is an inspiring example of an organization committed to making a positive impact in our communities.”

More Support from Event Participants and Honorees

“Scholarship America’s ability to quickly transform a challenge into an opportunity for students is truly inspiring. At Edison International, we share this commitment to addressing food insecurity and advancing student success, working alongside partners who care deeply about making a difference.” —Elizabeth Seelman, Director of Corporate Relations and Philanthropy, Edison International

“Although it is unfortunate that we are unable to convene in D.C., we commend Scholarship America for its swift and thoughtful pivot to create a positive impact for local students.” —Elena McDonald, Ed. D., Director of Student Success, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties

“Scholarship America’s thoughtful decision to transition the award ceremony to a virtual platform was a kind and considerate gesture. As an award recipient, I truly appreciate the personal outreach to our team. It brought peace of mind knowing we could participate meaningfully without the added stress of potential travel delays. Thank you for your flexibility and commitment to creating a meaningful and accessible experience for all of us.” —Staci Brooks, Vice President, Alabama Power Charitable Giving

Scholarship America is a non-profit organization that eliminates barriers to educational success so that students can pursue their dream. Since 1958, Scholarship America has distributed $5.7 billion to more than 3 million students. The organization works with partners to give students the support needed to succeed. Learn more at scholarshipamerica.org.

Claire Berge Schmidt
Associate Vice President, Marketing
cbergeschmidt@scholarshipamerica.org
(952) 830-7391