Literature and News Articles

Want to read more on how food insecurity and homelessness among college students is a national issue? Feel free to click on the links to the articles below for more details!

Colleges Are Looking for Ways to House and Feed Homeless Students. Pacific Standard, March 2019.

“Widely reported research has shown surprising levels of hunger and homelessness among American college and university students. Some have been found living in their cars in campus parking lots; others rely on food banks, often stocked by classmates. Now colleges and universities themselves are pulling together more permanent solutions, often in collaboration with local housing authorities and non-profit partners.”

Millions of College Students Are Going Hungry: A new government report highlights just how pervasive the problem is. The Atlantic, January 2019

“[The report] put it very clearly for us that we can see that especially first-time students, first-generation students, students who are raising children, single parents, face increasing obstacles to be able to complete that critical college degree,” Senator Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate’s education committee says.”

Hungry to Learn, The Chronicle of Higher Education, November 2018

“They barely make enough money to pay for college. Sometimes they have to choose between buying a textbook or buying food. Making rent, finding food, paying bills, raising a child, and dealing with abusive partners— these are some of the roadblocks many students face as they work toward earning their degrees.”

Food Scarcity on Campus Affects Learning in the Classroom, The Scholarly Teacher, May 2018

“For decades, the “Freshman 15” has defined the stereotypical freshman experience, so instructors might be forgiven for assuming that their students are showing up to class well-fed, well-rested, and ready to learn. However, this basic assumption has been disproven with the release of the Wisconsin HOPE Lab’s newest report (April 2018), “Still Hungry and Homeless in College.”

The hidden crisis on college campuses: Many students don’t have enough to eat, Washington Post, April 2018

“Researchers blame ballooning college costs, inadequate aid packages and growing enrollment among low-income students — as well as some colleges’ unwillingness to admit they have a hunger problem. College hunger is not a new issue, researchers caution. But it appears to be growing worse, and not merely because college is getting more expensive.”

Hunger And Homelessness Are Widespread Among College Students, Study Finds, NPR, April 2018

“For poor students, she said, ‘It really undermines their ability to do well in school. Their grades suffer, their test scores appear to be lower, and overall, their chances of graduating are slimmer. They can barely escape their conditions of poverty long enough to complete their degrees.'”

Think college students are privileged? Nearly a third are hungry and homeless, The Kansas City Star, April 2018

“Students who take on the rigors of college study while experiencing basic needs insecurities are clearly committed to school and are trying to work to make ends meet. “But their academics still suffer,” the report says. “Among students who reported receiving D’s and F’s in college, more than half were food insecure, with more than 40 percent at the very lowest level of food security.”

Retriever Essentials Program Tackles Food Insecurity, The Retriever, November 2017

“One of the main assistance programs available for students is called Retriever Essentials. Retriever Essentials is a program designed to help relieve food insecure students by providing bags of non-perishable groceries. Students are able to pick up a free bag of food at any one of six distribution centers located around the campus.”

Approximately half of college students report food insecurity, study finds, The Daily Free Press, October 2016

“’Many of today’s students must find a way to provide for their own living expenses while also paying for their education,” the report stated. “Contrary to the stereotype, today’s typical student is not a recent high school graduate who lives in a dormitory and is supported by his or her parents.’”

Hungry To Learn: Food Insecurity Spreads On Campus, The Quad, October 2016

“With $1.2 trillion in shared student debt on America’s books, it’s pretty clear many low-to-middle income students are borrowing their way into opportunity. While this might get a foot in the door, it won’t protect countless students from pressures that have very little to do with what goes on in the classroom.”