Kyle Shokeye, Complex, May 1 2019

“In its most recent study, the Hope Center for College Community and Justice at Temple University polled 86,000 students from 123 colleges. 

The study found that 45 percent of students experienced "food insecurity," which is defined as "limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe food, or the ability to acquire such food in a socially acceptable manner." This includes skipping meals and experiencing hunger due to lack of funds.

Working during college is not associated with a lower risk of basic needs insecurity, and neither is receiving the federal Pell Grant; the latter is in fact associated with higher rates of basic needs insecurity. The survey reported that, of those who experience food insecurity, over two-thirds of them are employed.”

As national averages of food insecurity increase each year, Retriever Essentials continues to believe that food insecurity undermines academic success. Join our fight to tackle food insecurity in our UMBC students so that they can not only live more comfortably, but show up to class well prepared in a holistic manner.

We encourage you to have conversations with your coworkers around basic needs insecurities among college students, not only here at UMBC but across the nation. What can you do to better support struggling students? If you’re interested in learning more, and how you can get connected to Retriever Essentials, please email us at retrieveressentials@umbc.edu!