Soon, students living on campus will have easier access to meals without worrying about pantry hours. Emma Gerhardt, an intern at the Falcon Food Pantry, has launched a new program providing bagged meals right in the dorms.
“I developed this program to ensure all students have access to food bags whenever they need them,” Gerhardt says. “It’s important for tackling food insecurity on BGSU’s (Bowling Green State University) campus, allowing everyone to access food resources.”
The pilot program started last November after Gerhardt worked on her idea over the summer. She credits much of its success to Dr. Shannon Orr, the director of the pantry. “Dr. Orr supported my vision and allowed me to coordinate with Residence Life and promote the bags,” she shares.
Currently, the program is in Kreischer Hall, but Gerhardt hopes to expand it to more dorms in Fall 2026. She secured a $1,000 grant from the City of Bowling Green to help fund this expansion.
The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) is also getting involved. Their Director of Civic Engagement, Anna McRay, is collaborating with Dr. Orr to ensure the program’s smooth operation. “We’re considering a campus-wide food drive to boost pantry supplies,” says Tiago Gaboardi, USG president.
The promotion of this program is key. Gaboardi emphasizes that food insecurity impacts academic performance, mental health, and student retention. By making food accessible within dorms, they aim to remove barriers and encourage students to utilize these resources without stigma.
As food access becomes easier, students are more likely to thrive both academically and personally. This initiative shows promise in supporting the well-being of the BGSU student community.
For more information on food security trends, you can check reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization.
