NKU Shares The Love
To help children in foster care, Chartwells at Northern Kentucky University participated in the “Share the Love Bag Drive” through the DCCH Center for Children and Families.
read moreChartwells Higher Education Celebrates $343K+ in Student Givebacks Through True Burger Dining Program
- Chartwells’ proprietary retail concept converts student dining sales into direct institutional funding
- True Burger redirects up to 5% of revenue straight to local, on-campus food pantries and scholarships
- The University of Arkansas debuted the innovative framework, driving funds to Student Affairs Scholarships
Chartwells Higher Education is celebrating a major milestone in purpose-driven campus dining this back-to-school season through True Burger. Across eight universities, the proprietary concept and give-back program has officially generated $343,015 in total donations to combat food insecurity and help fund critical student needs.
Chartwells pioneered the program by reinvesting funds into student initiatives on campus. Now, a fixed percentage of every sale at True Burger locations funds institutional support systems. True Burger’s landmark achievement is anchored at the University of Arkansas (U of A) inside the Arkansas Union. Since its inception in 2016, the U of A’s True Burger has raised nearly $230,000, all dedicated to funding Student Affairs Scholarships.
“True Burger is a great example of what happens when a meal becomes something more,” said Eva Wojtalewski, CEO of Chartwells Higher Education. “Campus dining has always been about creating places where students feel welcomed, cared for, and connected. Through this initiative, students are not only enjoying a meal, they are helping support their peers in meaningful ways. Whether they are visiting True Burger at the University of Arkansas or Bowling Green State University, they are part of something bigger, a campus community built on care and connection.”
As part of the Crafted by Chartwells retail portfolio, the True Burger model has expanded nationwide to address localized student challenges. True Burger’s scalable framework ensures funds are allocated where they are needed most and delivered frequently, creating a constant stream of support.
Across participating institutions, 2.5% to up to 5% of sales are directed toward supporting campus food pantries and addressing food insecurity:
- University of Arkansas (AR): Directs a percentage of all sales to Student Affairs Scholarships, with recipients actively promoting the program to increase engagement.
- Bowling Green State University (OH): Allocates funds evenly between scholarships and local food insecurity programs. BGSU holds the record for the highest single-year contribution.
- Buffalo State (SUNY): Contributes funding to Milligan’s Food Pantry on campus.
- Purchase College (SUNY): Allocates proceeds to fund its dedicated on-campus food pantry.
- Eastern Michigan University (MI): Channels resources directly into its on-campus Swoops Food Pantry.
- Winona State University (MN): Contributes sales to the Warrior Cupboard campus food shelf.
- Xavier University (OH): Generates funding to support The Store, the campus’s food bank.
- Worcester State University (MA): Channels giveback proceeds directly into Thea’s Pantry on campus.
“Chartwells has always been a great partner in identifying ways we can continue to directly support students,” said Jeremy Battjes, vice chancellor for student affairs, U of A. “Allowing for a portion of True Burger revenue to be allocated to student scholarships is just one example. And what a great way to cultivate the concept of giving to our student body. We’re incredibly thankful for this partnership”
True Burger is one of the many ways Chartwells Higher Education supports student life and wellness.
