EndCampusHunger.edu - Strategies for Ending Hunger at Colleges & Universities

Session Summary: College students face hunger on campuses across the country. Research by the Hope Center found that more than one-third of students are food insecure.1 Additionally, changing demographic and economic circumstances have created a new environment for anti-hunger advocacy on college campuses. About one-in-five students are parenting students. About 45% of undergraduate students are students of color, and 56% are first-generation students.2 These populations face disproportionate rates of food insecurity.

SNAP is a critical pathway to address campus hunger. However, current eligibility requirements for college students are complex and onerous on students. Only 31% of college students who meet SNAP income requirements receive SNAP benefits3. Additionally, while the federal public health emergency (PHE) expanded eligibility for students, these flexibilities are set to end in June.

Campus anti-hunger advocates across the country are working to highlight student food insecurity through student outreach, campaign building, and centering students with lived experience. During this session, attendees will learn more about hunger at colleges and universities and how advocates are pushing for visibility and policy reform to end hunger among students. Speakers will discuss the impact of expanded eligibility during the PHE, best practices to reduce barriers to enrollment, and state and federal policy priorities and strategies. Attendees will also hear from individuals with lived expertise on how they can center student voices in their advocacy.