In A Pinch
Eccles Basic Needs Initiative
impact report
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As I reflect on the growth and impact of the In A Pinch Eccles Basic Needs Initiative, I am filled with deep gratitude for the support that makes this work possible. What began as a small effort to meet the essential needs of our students has grown into a comprehensive, responsive, and compassionate initiative that touches the lives of hundreds in our Eccles community.
Meeting basic needs — food, hygiene, access to housing and healthcare, support during crises — should never be a barrier to education. And yet, for far too many students, it is. At the David Eccles School of Business, we are committed to helping students succeed not just academically, but holistically. We are working to remove those barriers and affirm that every student belongs here, and that their well-being matters. Our students are candid in telling us that without In A Pinch, they would be forced to choose between a meal and a ride to class or that they might not attend their own graduation because of the cost of regalia.
While usage of our pantry space has more than tripled in the last year, In A Pinch is more than a pantry. It’s an educational resource and a proactive support system — one that is reshaping what support looks like in higher education. In collaboration with our partners at Cyprus Credit Union, we offer financial literacy workshops that empower students with tools to navigate financial challenges now and in the future, helping them feel prepared as they move toward financial independence and long-term stability after graduation.
This work is only possible because of you — our partners, donors, faculty, staff, alumni, and student advocates — who recognize that meeting basic needs is foundational to student success. Thank you for standing with us in this mission. Your belief in the importance of this work allows us to expand access, reduce stigma, and build a stronger, more capable community at Eccles. Together, we are not only filling shelves and meeting urgent needs — we’re planting seeds of long-term success.
With heartfelt appreciation,
SophieStout
Sophie Stout Associate Director, Office of Student Success and Engagement
David
Eccles
School of Business University of Utah
AUG. 2020
In A Pinch Pantry launches in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
MAY 2023
Regalia sponsorship program launches, assisting 55 graduates
JAN. 2023
In A Pinch expands to become the In A Pinch Basic Needs Initiative; online resource guide for assistance with food insecurity, mental health crisis, housing insecurity and more becomes available
TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET $39,086
$23,700 pantry $1,790 gift card support
$12,242 regalia
$1,354 events and program support
AUG. 2023
Educational workshops for students launched
$32,391 total raised during FY25
16 educational workshops hosted for students
AUG. 2024
Haircut vouchers and grocery gift card program begins
JAN. 2025
In A Pinch Basic Needs Initiative featured in BBC Storyworks Leader Generation series film
$4,201 given by class of 2024 through Grad Cord Campaign
24,678 items distributed from the pantry
The In A Pinch Basic Needs Initiative began with a simple but powerful mission:
Ensure that no student has to choose between their education and their basic needs.
What started as a small pantry in the Spencer Fox Eccles Business Building has grown into a vital resource, offering non-perishable food and hygiene items to students experiencing financial hardship. During the 2024-25 academic year, pantry usage surged by more than 250% year-over-year — a clear reflection of both the growing need and the trust students place in this service. This impact would not be possible without the generous support of our alumni and community partners. Your contributions are essential to keeping the pantry stocked and its doors open year-round.
100 fall break food bags distributed to students
254.9% increase in pantry use year-over-year
24,678 items distributed from the pantry
36 students supported through haircut vouchers and grocery gift cards
4.4/5 pantry rating given by students
“The Eccles School pantry means the world to me. It has taken stress off of me in desperate and really stressful times. While some people are fortunate enough to have a meal plan — that they still have to pay a large amount of money for — others don’t have the means to eat on or around campus because of high prices. This saves people from not being able to pay their rent and utilities, and other daily expenses.
I run a small business while also going to school, which sometimes makes my days extremely stressful. Sometimes when I wake up not knowing what to eat, I head to the Eccles School knowing that I can get fed. That makes my day.”
“Balancing my second year of graduate school with the responsibilities of being a single mom to three wonderful kids has its challenges. I’m pursuing my education to create a brighter future for my children, but tight finances have made putting food on the table a struggle in today’s tough economy.
The In A Pinch Pantry has been a true blessing, ensuring that my kids and I don’t go hungry, so I can keep pushing forward with my education and create a better life for them.”
Graduation Regalia Sponsorship
Each year, more than 1,500 students earn their degrees from the David Eccles School of Business. Graduation is a momentous occasion — a time to reflect on years of hard work, perseverance, and personal growth.
However, the cost of graduation regalia can present a significant financial barrier for some students. We believe no one should have to sit out this milestone because they can’t afford a cap and gown.
That belief inspired the creation of the Graduation Regalia Sponsorship. This initiative is designed to ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate in commencement without the burden of additional costs.
117 members received regalia sponsorship class of 2025
“My name is Kaylee Hodges, and I am graduating this spring [May 2025] with a major in Marketing and a minor in Management from the University of Utah. I want to sincerely thank you for funding my regalia sponsorship — your generosity means more than words can express.
Throughout college, I’ve worked full-time and fully supported myself financially. While balancing school and work has been challenging, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to receive support and encouragement from initiatives like yours, which have made a lasting impact on my journey. Because
$12,242 cost to fund regalia
of that support, I’ve been able to make the most of my time at the U — I was a part of the Opportunity Scholars family, served in student government as the Director of Student Immersion and Outreach, worked as a TA for multiple courses, and mentored first-year students through the First Year Council program.
Graduating is an accomplishment I am deeply proud of, and receiving this regalia sponsorship makes this moment even more meaningful. Thank you for investing in students like me. Your kindness and generosity truly make a difference.”
“I want to sincerely thank you for funding my regalia sponsorship — your generosity means more than words can express.”
Kaylee Hodges
Marketing, Class of 2025
Eccles School Commencement
Student Speaker
Financial Literacy Workshops
In collaboration with our partners at Cyprus Credit Union, the In A Pinch Initiative hosts educational workshops to equip students with vital skills to break the cycle of poverty post-graduation. Topics include budgeting, basic financial literacy, credit management, and investment strategies.
The initiative also educates the broader Eccles School and university community to help de-stigmatize basic needs and create awareness for faculty, staff, and students that enhances our collective ability to show empathy and make an impact.
2024-25 Workshops:
Intro to Financial Literacy
Wellness Open House
Preparation Workshop
the basics of
must know investing principles
361 student participants
188% increase in student participation year-over-year
As we reflect on the past year, we are filled with gratitude for the unwavering support that fuels the In A Pinch Basic Needs Initiative. Your generosity has helped us meet growing demand with compassion and dignity, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive, both in and out of the classroom. The 250% increase in pantry usage is not just a statistic; it’s a testament to the trust our students place in this community and the real, tangible impact of your contributions.
At the David Eccles School of Business, we are committed to fostering an environment where students can lead, grow, and succeed. This commitment extends beyond academics. It includes supporting the whole student. Thanks to you, we are building a more resilient community, one where no student is left behind.
From all of us at Eccles, thank you for being an essential part of this mission.
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