Like many families, Virginia college students struggle with food insecurity

Food insecurity affects nearly every segment of the U.S. population, including a growing number of students at community and four-year colleges.

Studies have found that anywhere from 25 percent to 50 percent of students pursuing higher education do not have enough food to eat. Some of the supports like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program available to families are rarely extended to students. There are some exceptions, but by and large, students are left to fend for themselves.

According to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, there are higher rates of food insecurity among students of color, first-generation students, international students and LGBTQ+ students.

While many people assume that college students are mostly middle class, and have plenty of food to eat, statistics tell us something else entirely.

At the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, approximately 250 students rely on its food pantry each week, and a survey of incoming students found that nearly 50 percent of first-year students worry they won’t have enough to eat at school.

At Piedmont Virginia Community College, nearly 25 percent of students said they don’t have enough food to get through the month, and 5 percent admitted to not having enough food to make it through the day.

At Virginia Tech, students fare slightly better than the national average, with nearly one in six impacted by food insecurity.

Students who should be able to focus on their coursework are instead distracted wondering where their next meal is coming from.

Supporting college food pantries in Virginia

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Recognizing the need to address student hunger in Virginia, the General Assembly passed a bill this year that allocates $500,000 in grants that are divvyed up among community and four-year colleges that operate on-campus food pantries.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Danica Roem (D-Manassas) and Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-Charlottesville).

While the state’s efforts will provide much-needed support to programs statewide, universities are asking the communities they are in to support food initiatives geared toward making sure students don’t go hungry.

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Piedmont Virginia Community College

Through the American Association of Community Challenges food access champions initiative, PVCC is inviting students to contribute donations of food to its on-campus Panther Pantry.

It has also set a goal for 200 individuals to give $25 each between now and Dec. 2 through online donations.

“Time and again, our amazing community has shown that when we come together, we can achieve extraordinary things,” said Harry Stillerman, PVCC vice president for advancement and external affairs. “Each contributor’s generosity will help us keep the pantry stocked and make a lasting difference in the lives of our students.”

PVCC’s pantry was created in 2019 to meet the food and basic needs of students by providing non-perishable food items and other general necessities.

To date, the college pantry has served more than 9,211 students.

Each dollar raised helps provide three meals for students.

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech has set up a market which provides free groceries to students on a drop-in basis.

To remove stigma associated with grabbing free food, it provides open hours for any student to drop in for mostly non-perishable options. When the community chips in with donations, the market can offer produce and other requested items.

There have been over 900 visits to its market in the first five weeks of the fall semester.

Usage of The Market at Virginia Tech has increased by 375 percent over last year.

“As a student, having reliable access to food is a really big part of being successful,” said Leah Burrer, program assistant. “It makes it easier to do well in school if you know you have food and that the right nutrition is available to you.”

Students involved in the initiative say it’s having a positive impact on the student body.

“It’s really important work, just helping people take care of their basic needs and having food to put on the table,” said Brenna Demko, student director for the market.