Support Hunger-Free Campuses in Maryland
Campus Hunger
While the issue of hunger in higher education is not new, students still face a number of unique barriers that prevent them from accessing the resources that so many low-income Marylanders rely on. For example, off-campus pantries can be challenging to reach, and stigma plays a huge role in preventing many students from seeking help outside of their college community. Additionally, although the most recent COVID-19 relief package temporarily waived barriers for students accessing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), eligibility requirements can still be challenging to navigate without guidance from SNAP application specialists.
Delegate Debra Davis and Senator Mary Washington introduced the Hunger-Free Grant Program (HB 891/SB 767), and it passed in 2021. This bill creates a state-funded matching grant program that will provide higher education institutions with funding to address food insecurity in their campus community. These grant dollars would be administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission and go towards efforts such as establishing a Hunger-Free Task Force; designating staff to connect eligible students with SNAP application assistance and local SNAP retailers; establishing a system for stigma-free access to community food resources; raising awareness for food insecurity through campus events in order to reduce stigma; and creating a meal plan swipe sharing program that allows students to donate unused swipes to fellow students in need. The funding will be available for fiscal year 2023.
This program is a critical step in ensuring that students are not forced to suffer hunger or its negative outcomes because of their pursuit of higher education.
Learn more:
- Apply for the 2023 Hunger-Free Campus Grant
- Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program Fact Sheet
- FRAC Blog: Passing a Hunger-Free Campus Bill in Maryland
- The Hope Center’s #RealCollege 2020 Report
- The Food Access and Student Well-being Study conducted by the University of Maryland
Get Involved
- Join our Hunger-Free Campus Network Calls by emailing BPinzini@mdhungersolutions.org and adding your email to our listserv.
For any additional questions, please email Julia Gross at jgross@mdhungersolutions.org
