Battling Food Insecurity in Guilford: Community Solutions and Inspiring Stories

On January 3, students with meal plans received an email from the Department of Residential Education & Housing. It said that meal swipes are limited to the meal plan holder and one guest, making swipes non-transferable. This policy contradicts Guilford College’s effort to reduce food insecurity through the “Pay It Forward” program, which allowed students to help one another with extra meal swipes.

On January 8, during a community meeting led by OSLE, Guilford alumna Sarah Seguin shared findings from a recent survey. Out of 180 participants, three out of four reported experiencing food insecurity. She emphasized the importance of considering how policies affect students struggling to access food.

Students appreciated Seguin’s concerns but felt the leadership struggled to provide clear answers. Acting President Jean Bordewich explained that decisions about meal swipes didn’t reach the Board of Trustees. Instead, she mentioned Guilford’s distributed leadership structure, which can complicate communication.

Vice President of Enrollment Steve Mencarini acknowledged the complexity behind food planning at the college. There are various meal plans, and the goal is to avoid wasting money on unused food. While this policy change is disappointing, efforts are ongoing to address food insecurity at Guilford.

Jahmarley “Jah” Vivens, a junior, noted that while progress has been made, there’s always more work to do. He mentioned a task force composed of students, staff, and faculty that aims to tackle food insecurity, emphasizing that all voices should be heard.

Guilford College has implemented programs to help students in need, including the Quaker Cupboard. Located in King 122, this resource offers free groceries, hygiene products, and other essentials to all students. Donations and takeaways are welcome, ensuring that those in need can find what they require.

Vivens also shared some exciting initiatives in the works. The campus is partnering with the Carolina Hunger Initiative to help students access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Additionally, they plan to create satellite Quaker Cupboards in places like the gym, stocked with protein bars, breakfast foods, and water bottles to keep students energized.

From Vivens’ perspective, food insecurity impacts students deeply. Hunger makes it hard to concentrate and can stress mental health. He suggested several ideas for the Guilford community to further support students:

• Organizing on-campus farmers’ markets with discounted prices.
• Extending the satellite cupboard project to make it more accessible.
• Offering free cooking classes on budget-friendly meal prep.
• Creating a mobile food pantry for different dorms and busy areas.
• Using social media to share resources and promote donation opportunities.

The fight against food insecurity at Guilford is ongoing. Open discussions and collaborative efforts will help ensure that every student feels supported and valued.