According to the 2014 Hunger in America report, 1 in 10 adults who experience food insecurity — the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food — are students. For the past month, the Huskies Tackle Hunger food drive has aimed to help put an end to this problem.
Collection bins have been set up in the HUB, Suzzallo and Odegaard libraries, the Nook, the District Market, and the School of Social Work for people to donate non-perishable food items such as canned goods or dry pasta. These bins will remain up until Dec. 18.
A common misconception is that food insecurity is an issue that only affects homeless people or those living in extreme poverty, rather than affecting a very diverse group of people. The Huskies Tackle Hunger food drive aims to help everyone who may not know where their next meal is coming from.
Brittany Pierce, a graduate student doing her practicum at the Health and Wellness Center, decided to set up the drive after she discovered that food support is one of the most sought after professional services.
“There’s really not a lot of on-campus support,” Pierce said. “A lot of other campuses have their own food pantries that students can access.”
The distribution of the donated food happens through Food Lifeline, a nonprofit distribution center that provides nutritious food for hungry, low-income people. The North of 45th Committee and Housing and Food Services (HFS) also came together with Pierce and Food Lifeline to help make this drive happen.
Ultimately, Pierce’s goal is to create a permanent food pantry on campus for students here at the UW.
Another goal of the drive is to raise awareness about student hunger and food insecurity, and the resources available to students, such as the Health and Wellness Center, the University District Food Bank, and the Husky Neighborhood Interns, a UW program intended to create a stronger, safer, and more enriching community for residents.
“[Student hunger] isn’t really talked about very often,” said Stephanie Brune, a Husky Neighborhood Intern involved in organizing the food drive. “The resources that the neighborhood and UW have to offer are what I hope the food drive sheds light on.”
In addition to the lack of awareness of student hunger, there is often a negative stigma surrounding food insecurity as well.
“I’m hoping [the food drive] will bring awareness to students about the issue.” Pierce said. “Ultimately, I’m hoping to eliminate stigma around it. A lot of students may fear going to local food banks just out of embarrassment.”
Pierce hopes to continue her efforts to end student hunger in the final days of the drive. After it ends, she plans to continue her efforts by surveying students about their experience with food insecurity, and drafting a proposal for a campus food pantry.
Food donations can be made to any of the bins set up around campus, and money can be donated directly to Food Lifeline at: www.crowdrise.com/huskiestacklehunger/fundraiser/brittanypierce2.
Reach contributing writer Carly Knight at development@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @carlyfries83
