Food scarcity is a larger problem on campus than many would like to admit. 

In 2019, for example, nearly 39% of college students had experienced food insecurity within a 30 day period.

Many of the causes of these issues are students living on their own for the first time, trying to adjust to a new life. Many students do not have the familial resources to support this first foray into adulthood. 

(Contributed/Graphic by Cheyenne Hawkins, information via Best Colleges research)

Cheyenne Hawkins, an RA on campus, says, “We are socialized to see food insecurity in college students as ‘normal.’ Like, for example, how many jokes have you heard about college students living off Ramen noodles? Or what about the ‘freshman 15’ phenomenon where college freshmen gain fifteen pounds their first year due to poor nutrition?”

She is right; there is a romanticization either about college students not being able to afford to eat, or not making healthy choices. 

In talking with Hawkins, it did become apparent there are places for students to go.

For example, Bucky’s Food Pantry on campus, next to the Passport services behind the Culp, is a resource for students. Hawkins only wishes, “they would cover their windows, so no one would feel bad for going in there.”

If humility is the repellant, there are resources off of campus for students as well, such as a Food Distribution Center run by the Salvation Army.

If maintaining good nutritional health, students are more likely to succeed and less likely to drop out of school. Students that are more likely to struggle with food scarcity are also those more likely to have to work part-time jobs while attending school, which creates a time constraint disadvantage, leaving them little time to complete school assignments.

In ensuring that basic needs, such as eating, are met, the university comes closer to providing opportunities of success for students of all backgrounds. If a person is worrying about how they will get a meal the next day, how important is a five-page essay, really?

The best way to report a concern about a student, or for a student to ask for assistance with food, is to file a CARE report or to contact Bucky’s Pantry directly. To file a care report, use the following link: https://etsu-advocate.symplicity.com/care_report/index.php/pid968178?.