In today’s day and age, it’s hard to go through life without pinching a penny or two every once in a while. But for an unfortunately growing number of people, especially college students, living paycheck to paycheck is becoming increasingly more difficult. If you’re in a situation where you’re struggling to meet your basic needs, it’s important to realize that you’re not alone in the struggle, as well as being aware of the resources that are available to you if you need them.
While college students can be struggling in a variety of areas, one of the largest issues facing the demographic is food insecurity. According to a May 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, the cost of food at home has risen 28.3% since January 2020. For the students living in off-campus housing or who aren’t enrolled in meal plans, this can be an incredibly hard thing to deal with.
The good thing is that there are dozens of resources available for students at ETSU who are experiencing times of hardship, including food insecurity.
First is Bucky’s food pantry, the on-campus food pantry. Bucky’s pantry has three locations: one by Buc Ridge, one in the D.P. Culp Student Center, and one at the ETSU campus in Kingsport. In October, the Buc Ridge location will begin carrying meat and dairy products. If you’re interested in learning more about Bucky’s Food Pantry, visit etsu.edu/foodpantry.
In Johnson City, Good Samaritan Ministries not only offers food services for low-income citizens, but also other support services for individuals and families. If you’ve got food covered, but are struggling to find access to healthcare while living in Johnson City, the Johnson City Community Health Center offers care through a sliding scale fee system.
The Community Health Center offers primary care, dental care, and women’s health services on top of other aspects of well-being. If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment at the Center, call (423) 926-2500 or visit their website https://www.etsuhealth.org/locations/jc-communityhealthcenter.php for more information.
But what if you’re struggling, and you know you need help, but you don’t know where to start? Where do you go from there? The ETSU Dean of Students office has many resources for a variety of topics– mental health and crisis care, childcare, food insecurity, technology assistance, and more.
By visiting https://www.etsu.edu/students/dean-students/ online or contacting the Dean of Students by phone: 423-439-4210 or email: deanofstudents@etsu.edu, you can get connected with a variety of resources with no fear of being judged.
Additionally, the Dean of Students handles care reports, so if you’re concerned about a friend, fill out an anonymous care report, and they will get the support they need. At the end of the day, there is no shame in asking for help if you’re suffering. There are resources available if you’re struggling, no matter how big or small the issue is.
