Hunger Free Campuses is an initiative by LeadMN to address food insecurity on community and technical colleges. National data from the Wisconsin Hope Lab shows that 42 percent of community college students are food insecure, meaning they do not have a steady source of food or cannot afford to feed themselves or their families. At LeadMN, we believe no student should have to go hungry while pursuing their education. That is why we are advocating to ensure all of our campuses are Hunger Free.

A Hunger Free Campus:

  • Has a food pantry, partnership with a food bank, or some type of food distribution system on campus available to students.
  • Campus provides information to educate students on SNAP and other public services aimed to reduce food insecurity.
  • Provides emergency funds to assist students who may be experiencing basic needs insecurity.
  • Has a taskforce dedicated to addressing food insecurity concerns.
  • Hosts or participates in at least one hunger awareness event each year.

How can you support Hunger Free Campuses?

Write a letter to your state leader urging them to support funding to address food insecurity on our campuses. Your letter can include:

  • Your experience with food insecurity and how it has affected you.
  • The choices you have to make in order to provide food for yourself or your family.
  • The value and benefit of food pantries and SNAP and why these resources need to be a state priority.

Updates on the initiative:

  • Hunger Free Campuses is included on the Partners to End Hunger legislative agenda.
  • We have collected 400 student letters to legislators and stories about food insecurity.
  • 25 of our campuses have created action plans to address food insecurity.

If you have questions on Hunger Free Campuses or want to get involved, contact LeadMN at info@leadmn.org.