There's an undeniable relation between homelessness and food insecurity, and students are no exception to this struggle. "College is stressful enough," writes a HIGH scholarship recipient Colleen Messimer "without having to worry about money for food,housing, and transportation." According to Feeding America's 2014 study, 31% of the households they serve have to choose between paying for food or their education. At the HIGH Program, we provide funding to homeless or precariously-housed Wayne State students so that they're no longer forced to choose between the two, but it also goes beyond that -- part of the assistance that we provide is access to food through campus meal plans. As Hunger Action Month comes to a close, both Wayne State students and local community members might wonder how they might be able to help, but not know where to begin.
Luckily, there are quite a few ways that anyone can help support the HIGH Program as well as help to fight food insecurity on campus and in the community.
One option is to donate directly to the HIGH Program. With just $3,390 annually, the program is able to provide a campus meal plan to a HIGH assistance recipient. Although that number sounds daunting, especially to college students, even small donations can make all the difference. If even 1,500 students (half the size of this year's incoming freshman class) donated $5 each -- about the price of a cup of coffee -- that would be $7,500! When it comes to support, no gift is too small.
Understandably, financial donations aren't feasible for every person that may want to help. It's also possible to donate your time and volunteer with the HIGH Program, or help to raise awareness for the program itself. More information on how to get involved can be found on our website here.
But what about other ways to get involved on campus? While the HIGH Program doesn't accept direct food donations ourselves, the on-campus W Food Pantry does. The W provides currently enrolled students who struggle with food insecurity with access to nutritious food at no extra cost. Not only do they accept donations from individuals, they also raise awareness for food insecurity and provide resources for student groups who want to hold collection drives to benefit the pantry.
Unfortunately, food insecurity and homelessness in the community doesn't end with Wayne State. As of 2016, Detroit had the highest rate of homelessness and housing insecurity in the state of Michigan. Fortunately, there are several ways to help in the community as well. Check out these resources:
- The Capuchin Soup Kitchen serves Detroit in multiple locations, and always welcomes both volunteers and donations.
- Gleaners Food Bank helps to fight food insecurity throughout southeast Michigan, and provides opportunities for volunteers as well.
- Forgotten Harvest works to both prevent the waste of salvageable, nutritious food and to fight food insecurity, and is always looking for volunteers to fulfill that mission.
There are a lot of opportunities to get involved in the fight against food insecurity, not only during Hunger Action Month but year-round as well. Though it may seem like one person's efforts won't make much of an impact, even the smallest acts can have a big impact on someone else's life.
"Do what you can with all you have, wherever you are." -- Theodore Roosevelt
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