Join the SNAP Sign-Up Event at WWU: Combat Food Insecurity and Support Student Well-Being!

On May 28, a mobile office from the Washington State Department of Health and Social Services (DSHS) set up at Western Washington University. Students had the chance to learn about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This initiative aims to support those facing food insecurity.

SNAP is not new. It started in 1939 to help people during the Great Depression. Today, it provides monthly assistance to low-income families through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. Many students might not realize they can qualify for this help.

Gina Ebbeling, a Basic Needs resource navigator at Western, points out that the stigma around food assistance can hold students back. “The stereotype of the ‘starving college student’ can deter people from applying,” she said. “Everyone deserves access to nutritious meals, regardless of their financial situation.”

Eligibility for SNAP isn’t as strict as some believe. Students receiving work-study or who work over 20 hours a week can often qualify. At the event, DSHS staff guided students through the application process and answered questions.

“Every week, we see 500 to 600 students using the Viking Union WHOLE Food Pantry,” Ebbeling shared. These resource centers on campus have helped break down barriers around food insecurity.

Food pantries are available across campus, stocked Monday through Friday:

• Viking Union Whole Food Pantry
• Fairhaven College Pantry
• CEED Food Pantry
• Journalism Pantry
• Linguistics Department Pantry
• Sociology Food Pantry
• Parks Hall Pantry

For more resources, students can visit the Basic Needs Hub. Those applying for SNAP should bring documents showing their eligibility, like proof of work-study or recent pay stubs.

Isabella Tancreti, a second-year student and co-president of Students for Climate Action, reiterated how essential access to food is. Their group focuses on food sovereignty within their climate justice initiatives, partnering with Outback Farm at Western.

“It’s not radical to say food is a human right,” Tancreti stated. “Nourishment should be available to all, regardless of financial status.”

In a recent survey conducted by the College and University Food Services (CUFS), 66% of students reported needing food assistance at some point during their studies. This highlights a widespread challenge across campuses nationwide. Understanding these needs and providing adequate resources is crucial for supporting students during their academic journeys.

Food access is not just about nutrition; it’s about dignity and ensuring everyone can focus on learning without the worry of hunger.

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