Feed a Dragon

To help students succeed without having to worry about food, Drexel provides the following support:

• Mario's Market – A food pantry located within the Student Center for Diversity and Inclusion for all students, staff, and faculty in need
• Student Meal Swipe Donation Program – A program established to ensure that all Drexel students experiencing food insecurity can have access to meals
• Public Resources – Resources available to the general public and not provided by Drexel University, such as SNAP and #RealCollegePHL

If you or someone you know needs support beyond those listed on this page, email feedadragon@drexel.edu.

Mario's Market

Mario's Market is a collaborative effort by the entire Drexel Community. To establish a community invested in sustaining and supporting the mission of the pantry, students from any academic discipline are encouraged to get involved.

Mario's Market is accessible to all students, staff, and faculty with a valid DragonCard. Mario's Market is a food pantry located within the Student Center for Diversity and Inclusion on the second floor of the Rush Building. Additional resources will be available on Center City and Queen Lane campuses. In University City, the market operates on a rotating schedule. Please visit Mario's Market on the second floor of the Rush Building to see current hours of operation and weekly schedule postings. For more detailed information about the other campuses, please contact feedadragon@drexel.edu.

Meal Swipe Donation Program

The meal swipe donation program was established in fall 2019. The Meal Swipe Donation Program was created to ensure that registered students experiencing food insecurity have access to meals through partnership with Aramark and the Drexel Campus Dining Program.

If You Are looking for Assistance via the Meal Swipe Donation Program

• As a first-year student, meal assistance can be accessed through the Drexel Campus Dining Financial Accommodations process. Please visit the Drexel Campus Dining accommodations site.
• As an upper-class student, meal assistance can be provided by filling out the Meal Swipe Donation Application.

How to Donate Your Meals

Have a Meal Plan? Want to donate one of your guest meal swipes to those in need?

Then follow these easy steps:

• Go to the DragonCard portal.
• Once there, select "Click here to login" and log in using your DrexelOne credentials.
• After logging in, select "Donate a guest swipe" on the menu bar.
• Select either of the options to proceed.
• On the next screen, select "1 meal" then "add item."
• The item will be added to your cart. Select "Check out."
• Review the transaction details and then select "Pay Now."
• You will then be taken to a confirmation page and will receive a confirmation email.

Watch our video to gain more information about this process. Your contribution is helping to conquer food insecurity at Drexel!

Public Resources

The following resources are available to the general public and not provided by Drexel University.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides food-purchasing assistance to low- and no-income people.

SNAP Eligibility

Under federal guidance to receive SNAP assistance, students must also meet at least one of the following criteria to receive assistance:

• Accepted federally funded work-study and anticipate working
• Paid employee working at least 20 hours a week
• Self-employed at least 20 hours each week and have countable monthly income of at least $1,247 after business costs
• Responsible for the care of a child under the age of six
• Receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) cash assistance
• In a Workforce Investment Act (WIA) training program
• Receiving Unemployment Compensation
• Participating in at least one of the Employment Department training programs
• Unable to work due to physical or physiological difficulties
• Already declared a major intended to complete in four years and have plans for a career/employment 

There are factors that affect the chances of eligibility:

• Students cannot receive school meal plans that cover more than 51 percent of the meals.
• Students on a break from school must still meet student criteria.
• Students under the age of 22 who are living at home must apply with their family.
• Financial aid received through the Veterans Administration or private scholarships count as income.

Eligibility Tools

• Qualification and Start of Application
• SNAP Benefits Calculator
• Enrollment Information [PDF]

Further Information

• #RealCollegePHL Student Resources [PDF]
• Community Resources Local/State/National
• The Social Care Network
• COVID College Support