By Marisa Young | Reporter
As students eagerly await the Easter holiday, some face a tough reality: food insecurity. At Baylor University, the on-campus food pantry, The Store, is stepping up to help those in need by offering food bags. These resources aim to support students who might struggle to find meals over the break.
Steven Fernandez, the director of The Store, highlights how the holidays can be especially hard for students facing food shortages, as both the university and The Store close during these periods. To tackle this issue, The Store partnered with the Staff Council to organize a food-packing event. Last Thursday, volunteers packed over 200 bags filled with snacks and meals, ready for students to pick up leading up to the Easter break.
Tre Baldwin, Assistant Director of Student Opportunity and Achievement Resources, explains what food insecurity means: “If someone can’t access three meals a day, they’re considered food insecure.” Sadly, he notes that around 43% of students at Baylor experience some level of food insecurity, a growing issue across many college campuses in the U.S.
Fernandez encourages students struggling to find food to visit The Store and talk to staff members: “Food insecurity is a common issue at universities. It’s crucial that students know they’re not alone.” The aim of the care bags is to help students focus on their studies and excel at university.
Baldwin hopes students will lean on their community for support during the break. “You have a community that cares about you; you don’t have to go through this alone,” he says.
According to a recent study by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, nearly one in three college students in the U.S. struggle with food insecurity, a statistic that reflects the growing concern among institutions for the well-being of their students. The Store serves approximately 1,100 students each week, emphasizing the importance of these efforts.
The Store is located on the first floor of the Success Center in Sid Richardson. For more information, you can visit their website.
Check out this related article: R.J. Reynolds High Boosts Student Support with Expanded Pantry for Food, Clothing, and Essential Supplies
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