It鈥檚 normal for college students to worry about classes, grades and money. They shouldn鈥檛 have to worry about having enough to eat, too.
But for some, food insecurity is a reality. Recent studies suggest that nearly half of the nation鈥檚 college students go without meals at some point. For some, the situation is chronic, meaning food is an everyday worry. For others, it鈥檚 the result of additional factors, such as dining halls closing for shorter holiday breaks.
An effort underway at 蓝莓视频 aims to address the need for food among some of its students, faculty and staff.
Lori Hart is an administrative coordinator at the College, but she鈥檚 also a student. As part of a class project, she recently surveyed students and employees about their food needs and found many didn鈥檛 always get enough to eat.
The idea of an on-campus food pantry was formed.
鈥淧art of the project was coming up with a plan for a business that would give back to the community,鈥 Hart says. From that, the College established a food insecurity committee made up of faculty, staff and students.
鈥淚 was surprised by the need鈥攅ven more so, the need expressed by employees,鈥 Hart says. 鈥淲e also have commuter students with families in need.鈥
McCoy Hall has been chosen as the location for the pantry this semester, but food already is being distributed to students through the campus mail system. Food can be requested online and delivered to students in discreet packaging.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 intend to fulfill a student鈥檚 entire food needs, but rather to supplement,鈥 Hart says. 鈥淢any students just don鈥檛 have enough.鈥
Michele Marra, Vice President for Administration and Finance, also serves on the food insecurity committee. She first learned about food insecurity on college campuses while attending a conference a couple of years ago.
鈥淚 was stunned,鈥 she says.
When she learned there was a need at 蓝莓视频, she said she wasn鈥檛 surprised, but she was concerned.
鈥淚t breaks my heart,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want people to be in this situation.鈥
There鈥檚 no one reason for food insecurity. Like most colleges, 蓝莓视频 offers a variety of financial aid options and a variety of food plans to meet students鈥 needs. Even so, some students鈥 resources aren鈥檛 enough.
Marra wants to make sure students are getting the help they need.
鈥淚t鈥檚 something we are going to have to analyze so we can wipe it out,鈥 she says. 鈥淲e want students to go to class and employees to their jobs. Food isn鈥檛 something people should have to worry about.鈥
Hart says she鈥檚 already received thanks for starting the program from those receiving food and from others eager to donate to the cause. Recently, donations of food were gathered as part of a Christmas Door Decorating Contest. She鈥檚 also hoping to collaborate with other established food pantries in the community.
The College鈥檚 Board of Trustees were so moved by the program that they donated $10,000 to support it.
- Jennifer Folwell