Join the ‘Feeding Broncos’ Initiative: Combating Food Insecurity at WMU and Supporting Our Community

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Students at Western Michigan University are tackling food insecurity through a program called ‘Feeding Broncos.’ This initiative helps ensure that all students have access to a meal.

Feeding Broncos, which is part of the student organization Broncos Kitchen, offers free hot meals twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays. The meals are served in the Dialog Room at Kanley Memorial Chapel, a central spot on campus.

According to Courtney Hubert-Tortorelli, president of Feeding Broncos, they serve around 125 students each meal day. “We just want everybody to get a meal,” she explained. “When students are fed, they can focus better and perform well in their studies. Our goal is simple: provide two hot meals each week for free to any student with an ID.”

To help support the program, students can become members for $20 to $30. In return, they receive a t-shirt, sweatshirt, or hoodie based on their membership level. Feeding Broncos is also running a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds and expand the program’s reach.

Freshmen like Katrina Gardner and Madison Greenhalgh are excited about the program. Balancing minimum-wage jobs with school leaves them struggling to afford groceries. “Sometimes I can’t go grocery shopping because my bills take priority,” Gardner shared.

Gardner and Greenhalgh see the benefit of Feeding Broncos as a reliable meal option when they need it. “Not knowing when you’ll eat next is stressful,” Greenhalgh added. “It’s reassuring to know that if we run out of meal swipes, we can still go somewhere to get food.”

For those looking to learn more about how Feeding Broncos helps fellow students, you can check out their website here.