S05 EP#4: Food Insecurity on College Campuses

Hash It Out

As the fees of college continues to increase and the incomes of most Americans decline, several many college students are going hungry. According to researchers, approximately half of all undergraduates are food insecure. At IUPUI, 43% of OF IUPUI STUDENTS FACE FOOD INSECURITY! 1 IN 5 IUPUI FRESHMEN ARE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE AND CONSIDERED FOOD INSECURE! Generally, food security is a bigger issue for survey respondents than housing. Roughly 1 in 5 students face very low food security, meaning they are regularly unable to afford adequate food. Resources around YOU - Paws' Pantry founded in 2013, the food pantry is dedicated to helping relieve food insecurity inside the IUPUI community. Paws' Pantry is open on Tuesdays, 9:30-11:45 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. (Students only), Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Students only) and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (Students, faculty, staff). Learn more about Paws' Pantry here or contact [e-mail]! The Campus Kitchen at IUPUI (CKIUPUI) is a student-powered food rescue and hunger relief initiative and a model of social, economic, and environmental entrepreneurship where students address social challenges with sustainable solutions. Indy Hunger Network provides training and networking opportunities for the nearly 200 food pantries in Indianapolis. FIND A FOOD PANTRY OR MEAL SITE Use Community Compass on any cellphone. Text “hi” to 317-434-3758. Use Community Compass on a smartphone. Download the free app on the App Store or Google Play. Use Community Compass on any device. Visit www.communitycompass.app. If you cannot access Community Compass, call 2-1-1 for assistance finding food resources. APPLY FOR FEDERAL NUTRITION PROGRAMS Screen yourself for SNAP or WIC eligibility by chatting with Shelly, the chatbot, on Community Compass. Call 317-221-7401 or text “IndyWIC” to 85511 to sign up for WIC benefits. Visit the Indiana FSSA website to apply for SNAP benefits. If you need help applying for SNAP, contact the Gleaners SNAP Hotline at 317-644-1280 for free assistance in any language. If you believe you were wrongly denied public assistance benefits, contact Indiana Legal Services for legal assistance. REQUEST HOME DELIVERY OF MEALS OR PANTRY ITEMS If you are located in Marion County, contact the Gleaners Food Bank Home Delivery Line at 317-742-9111.