Keystone Today

Nearly one-third of college students reportedly battle food insecurity, according to Gov. Tom Wolf’s (D-PA) official website, and this is a number that First Lady Frances Wolf and state legislators are determined to change.

This week Wolf was joined at the State Capitol by Senate Democratic Appropriations Chairman Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia), Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-West Chester), House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia) and Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D-Springfield), along with about 100 college students and administrators to discuss hunger among college students and call for action to address the issue. 

“College should not be a privilege reserved for individuals with disposable incomes, and hunger should never be what holds someone back from succeeding in higher education,” the First Lady said, according to the Official Pennsylvania Government Website. “And yet national studies estimate that over 30% of college students are food insecure. We must do all we can to support our students as they pursue futures that can benefit all of Pennsylvania.” 

The students were representing the nonprofit group Swipe Out Hunger, and CEO Rachel Sumekh was happy to see the support of the state officials.

“It speaks volumes to have the First Lady support our coalition of more than 100 college students across Pennsylvania and other community partners to address student food insecurity through the Hunger Free Campus Bill,” Sumekh said, according to the governor's website. “We’re thrilled to galvanize and organize together to ensure no student has to choose between food and their education.” 

The group included students from Bloomsburg University, Carnegie Mellon University, Community College of Allegheny County, California University of Pennsylvania, DeSales University, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Millersville University, Point Park University, Prism Career Institute, Robert Morris University, Temple University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Pennsylvania, West Chester University, Widener University and Wilson College.

The organization works with leaders on legislation and policies, as well as ensuring student have access to meals. The organization represents 400 colleges in each state and has served 2.5 million meals.

Wolf has a budget proposal for 2022-23 that includes $1 million toward a grant program to help Pennsylvania colleges with this problem. This money would go toward restocking or creating food pantries, increasing outreach about assistance, hiring social workers to help and also improving data gathering. While the program is still under construction, it closely relates to the Hunger-Free Campus bills proposed by Comitta and Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia). 

Hughes spoke in favor of the work being done by the governor and the First Lady.

“COVID exposed an unspoken secret, that a significant number of college students are food insecure," Hughes said, according to the governor's website. “Thanks to the leadership of the First Lady and Gov. Wolf, we have an opportunity to make an impact to reverse the staggering number of college students who are food insecure. College students face enough challenges without needing to worry about where their next meal will come from.” 

It is estimated that 36% of college students know someone who dropped out of school due to food insecurity during the pandemic, with 52% that faced housing or food insecurity in 2020, not knowing how to access support. Penn State University Vice President of Student Affairs Damon Sims said there is a growing awareness at his school and other campus about the negative aspects food insecurity can cause a student.

“A student who lacks access to sufficient and healthy food simply cannot learn and participate as they otherwise would,” Pennsylvania State University’s Vice President of Student Affairs Damon Sims said, according to the governor's website. “It has been heartening to see the commitment of our student leaders to meaningfully address this fundamental issue in partnership with the Penn State administration. The funding proposed by Gov. Wolf would make an enormous difference in our collective effort to overcome a challenge faced by too many students across the commonwealth. We can all do better by these students, and I know we shall.” 

O’Mara pointed out that the cost of higher education in the state of Pennsylvania is rising, but financial aid has not kept up. This forces students to financially neglect other areas of living, she said. 

Food insecurity on college campuses has been a problem for decades, and Pennsylvania is overdue in addressing this,” O’Mara told the Official Pennsylvania Government Website. “Students cannot thrive and reach their full potential if their basic needs are not being met. We need to pass the Hunger-Free Campus Act that I introduced in the House, alongside State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, and provide for students throughout the commonwealth.”

Comitta made a similar call, thanking Wolf and the First Lady for their work to combat hunger on campus, as well as including the Hunger-Free Campus Initiative in his budget plan.

“No student should have to go hungry to pursue the dream of higher education and career success,” Comitta said, according to the governor's website. “Studies and firsthand stories tell us that food and basic needs insecurity is a growing program on college campuses. Common sense tells us it’s a solvable one. And we’re working to take steps to solve it in Pennsylvania.”