College students continue to face food insecurity and hunger.
According to the annual update of the largest survey in the nation studying the basic needs of college students, 48% of students who attend two year schools such as community and technical colleges faced food insecurity in the last 30 days. 38% of these students reported that they ate less than they should because they didn’t have enough money to buy more food. 12% of students at two-year institutions did not eat for a full day because they did not have enough money for food. Food insecurity is even higher among marginalized students including African Americans, LGBTQ students, students who are financially independent from their parents, those who used to be in foster care and students with disabilities and chronic medical conditions. Two-thirds of the students who were food insecure are employed and working in addition to being enrolled in school.
For the report, “College and University Basic Needs Insecurity” researchers from the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice at Temple University analyzed survey results from more than 80,000 students nationwide, including some in Washington.
The results follow on a 2018 study of University of Washington students, also released in May. That study, which included UW Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma campuses, found that 25% of students worried about not having enough to eat.
To help address food insecurity for college students in Pierce County, Nourish has partnered with local community & technical colleges to provide food bank services directly on their campuses. Our mobile food bank visits Bates Technical College, Clover Park Technical College, Pierce College Puyallup, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom and Tacoma Community College for two hours shifts once each week. From our food banks, clients receive nutritious food for themselves and their families so they can make it through the week. While our food banks are on campuses, they are open to anyone in the community who is in need of food, not just students.
To learn more about the expansion of our mobile food banks, read Nourish Launches Mobile Food Banks at Local Colleges.
To find the schedule for our food banks, visit our Food Bank Locations page.
To support our ability to provide this service, Donate to Nourish.