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Though hunger is worsening on a national level, students may be particularly hard hit—and also particularly ready to help. Students across the country are flocking to food banks in record numbers, and many of their peers are setting up new food banks on campus to meet rising levels of need. Many are citing tuition hikes and cuts to financial aid and scholarships as the reason for increased need.

Michigan State University (MSU) and Grand Valley State University (GVSU) food banks have aided many students trying to make ends meet, and these student-run resources have been growing in popularity in light of tuition increases and losses of financial aid. Since 2008, there has been a 25 percent increase in the number of students using the Michigan State University food bank.
 
Susana Villagomez-Barajas introduced the idea of opening a food pantry for GVSU students. Since last April, it has served more than 200 hungry scholars.
 
"One of the girls I worked with…told me she never had food—that it was either eat or pay bills," says Villagomez-Barajas. "I heard my friends talking about the same thing and students in my classes, so I came up with that idea."

The Student Government at Bakersfield College in California had the same idea. They launched the Renegade Pantry on Jan. 28, and received 32 donations from the student body within two hours of opening its doors.

Food recipient Sewahan Garret said, "Well it helps you a lot because with the help from this food, I could use money towards books and other stuff I need."

Students around the country have found many other creative ways to pitch in. From student-run Empty Bowls programs in Texas and Illinois, to the upcoming National Hunger Cleanup run by the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness (NSCAHH) on April 10, students around the country are rolling up their sleeves to take care of their peers and neighbors.

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