Local College & University Food Banks
This fall, we are doing something a little different with our charity. We have decided we will help support the food banks at several of the local area colleges.
Food insecurity among college students is an increasingly pressing issue that impacts academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being. Many students are struggling to access sufficient, nutritious food due to rising tuition costs, limited financial aid, and other socio-economic barriers. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) at the U.S. Department of Education a study was released in July of 2023 that confirmed that colleges and universities of all types serve undergraduate and graduate students experiencing food insecurity and homelessness. Overall, 23% of undergraduates, and 12% of graduate students, are experiencing food insecurity. This means more than 4 million students are food insecure. And eight percent of undergraduate and 5% of graduate students are experiencing homelessness, translating to more than 1.5 million students.
Food insecurity while in college can have detrimental effects on students’ academic performance and health. The mixture of food insecurity and stress of college contributes to food-insecure students being more likely to fall into a lower GPA category compared to their food-secure counterparts, diminishes students’ ability to excel in class, and contributes to lower attendance and completion rates.
By participating in the charity fund raising evets, you will be helping OUR college students to overcome food insecurities. You will be helping the student who came in your office on Friday wondering what they would eat over the weekend. Or the student who had to choose between eating and getting gas money to come to class. Please consider helping OUR own students!
Sandra Neel, Conference Co-Chair
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