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Student Success Team

  1. Whitworth University
  2. Administration
  3. Student Success
  4. Help-a-Pirate Program

Help-a-Pirate Program

Apply for Help-a-Pirate by submitting this online form.

Whitworth's Help-a-Pirate Program exists to assist students through one-time interventions of support when an urgent need arises. We have four primary methods for meeting some of the needs that may arise for students:

  1. Meal Assistance Program – This program is designed to support food-insecure students at Whitworth, and qualifying students can receive up to two meals per day through Sodexo for a month at a time.
  2. Textbook Lending Program – This program is designed for students who experience a shortfall in acquiring all of their books. Any books provided need to be given back at the end of the term.  
    FALL 2024 - Students can find many of their current textbooks at the Whitworth Library on the carts marked "Textbooks!" Carts are located in the middle of the ground floor; textbooks are in-library-use only.
  3. Technology Support Program – This program is designed for students who experience technology shortfalls which often inhibit their academic success.
  4. Immediate Financial Hardship – This program is designed to support students needing emergency support (such as paying for a medical bill or a car repair). We invite students to apply, explain their situation, and then our committee will be in touch after the application is reviewed.
    • Tuition/Student Accounts needs should be directed to Financial Aid.
    • Qualifying students may need to provide documentation supporting their request, provide permission to contact the recipient/organization, and will need to report the help on their taxes. All of this will be occur within the guidance of the representative who follows up with you.

Accessing Help-a-Pirate Resources 

If a student is identified as a candidate for Help-a-Pirate resources, they can fill out the online form linked to at the top of this page. 

Once the online form is received, a student success representative will reach out to the student to meet about the following:

  1. Confirm with the financial aid office that the student has accessed all of their financial aid resources or refer the student to the financial aid office if their aid needs to be adjusted.
  2. Brainstorm alternative aid options with the student and explain that this fund is intended for a one-time use during their academic career.
  3. When appropriate, explore with student how/if this situation can be avoided in the future.

Nutrition Center

Whitworth has a new nutrition center to support food-insecure students. The nutrition center is located on the second floor of the Hixson Union Building near the Student Success Center (HUB 242). Students can walk in any time the HUB is open and find new recipes each month and all the ingredients needed to prepare delicious and healthy meals. Please contact Todd Sandberg (tsandberg@whitworth.edu) if you have any questions.  

Campus Food Banks

There are a variety of mini food banks across campus to support food-insecure students at Whitworth. Whitworth staff and faculty are welcome to make donations.

Sociology Department in Lindaman Center: The food bank is located on the first floor in Room 201. Students can walk in and grab food items between 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Please contact Robert Francis (rfrancis@whitworth.edu) if you have any questions. 

Psychology Department in Dixon Hall: The food bank is located in the main floor lounge. Contact Amy Morrison (amorrison@whitworth.edu) if you have any questions.

English Department in Westminster Hall: The food bank is located in Room 138. It's available weekdays from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (without student card) and until 10 p.m. with student cards. It can be accessed on weekends from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. with student cards. Contact Staci Schneider (sschneider@whitworth.edu) if you have questions. 

SNAP

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is now available for eligible students to apply. SNAP provides eligible students with money to buy groceries on a monthly basis.

First, check your eligibility. Students may be eligible if you meet one of the following criteria as outlined by the Department of Health and Social Services:

  • Are under age 18 or are age 50 or older
  • Have a physical or mental disability
  • Work at least 20 hours a week in paid employment
  • Participate in a state or federally financed work study program
  • Participate in an on-the-job training program
  • Care for a child under the age of 6
  • Care for a child age 6-11 and lack the necessary childcare enabling you to attend school and work 20 hours a week or participate in work study
  • Are a single parent enrolled full-time in college and taking care of a child under 12
  • Receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assistance
  • Are assigned to, placed in, or self-placed in a college or other institution of higher education through:
    • A SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program
    • Certain other E&T programs for low-income households, which are operated by a state or local government and have an equivalent component to SNAP E&T
    • A program under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) (PL 113-128)
    • A Trade Adjustment Assistance Program under section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974

Students may be asked to provide the following documentation:

  • Proof of ID
  • Proof of work study (or anticipated work study)
  • Proof of income (any income from a job or otherwise)
  • Proof of financial aid
  • Proof of student status (like a school schedule)

Begin the application process:

  • Online: www.washingtonconnection.org
  • Over the phone: 1.877.501.2233
  • Visiting one of two local offices between 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
    • 1313 N. Maple St. Spokane, WA 99201
    • 8617 E. Trent Ave #101 Millwood, WA 99212
  • Contact DSHS for an interview
    • Intake appointments: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Phone interviews will begin
  • Students will need to mail in documentation, fax, or drop off in person

If approved for benefits by DSHS, pick up Food Assistance card upon approval from DSHS or have it mailed to you (expect 10 days for delivery).

Clothing Resources 

PRO Closet 

PRO Closet provides Whitworth students with gift cards to select department stores to purchase proper and professional clothing attire needed for an interview or first job. We want our students to feel confident and prepared for their first professional experience. In addition to having the ability to purchase professional clothing items and look and feel their best as they enter the professional world, students can receive individualized coaching from one of our career services representatives.

All current Whitworth students may apply for PRO Closet funding, regardless of class or major. Priority may be given to students who have a career-related obligation or junior and senior class standing, depending on resource availability. Please email Tracy Mouser, director of the Whitworth Center for Career & Professional Development, at tmouser@whitworth.edu for additional details. 

Teacher Education Department Professional Resource Center 

The Teacher Education Department Resource Center offers student support with professional clothing and winter-appropriate clothing. If you are doing an internship or other fieldwork that has a dress code or find yourself in need of warmer clothing as winter comes charging in, feel free to reach out, and we can see if we have a size that would work for you. Clothing is donated so we do not have all sizes available at all times. The center opens by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, email Lisa Laurier at llaurier@whitworth.edu.