More than 80% of Latino students reported experiencing food insecurity while in school, with half indicating barriers to access occurring weekly or even daily.
Several factors play into why college students might be struggling more. First off, the rate of parents being aware of their child's struggles is far lower once they're in college.
Establishing food pantries isn't the only strategy colleges can take to help its students facing food insecurity, an issue affecting up to 30% of college students today, according to a report from The Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation.
Institutions are ramping up their efforts to fight student hunger by building food pantries. However, students may not be aware of their efforts. The Hope Center found that more than half of students struggling with basic needs in 2020 didn’t apply for any support programs because they didn’t know how.
State leaders across higher education, nonprofits and local government are partnering up to subsidize housing and expand access to food as rent prices continue to take off.