Dive Brief:
- NPR examines the increasing incidence of homeless and hunger among full-time college students, which according to recent surveys has grown to an estimated 20% of students classifying themselves in a food crisis and 13% of students who self-describe as homeless.
- Bunker Hill Community College in Massachusetts is profiled as one of the state's 25 food assistance programs, part of a larger student service initiative to help low-income students reduce obstacles to college completion.
- Advocates say that challenges in food access can limit prospects for timely completion, as qualifying for food stamps requires at least part-time employment.
Dive Insight:
Colleges and universities ideally should offer services which eliminate barriers to achievement or professional development, but the challenge is finding funds to subsidize personnel and resources for these programs. Development officers should be able to make a compelling case to donors for helping part-time and full-time students find affordable housing and regular food access, while presidents use such initiatives as part of the corporate and legislative outreach narrative of why well-funded institutions matter far beyond teaching and learning.