Tuesday, November 15, the UMass Lowell campus hosted a discussion and press conference event at Saab Emerging Technologies & Innovation Center to discuss the food insecurity crisis among college students and advocate for the passage of the “Hunger Free Campus Act.”
The press releases stated that “Lowell, MA – With 37% of public university students in Massachusetts food insecure and only 20% of food insecure students utilizing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits before the pandemic – lawmakers will join student advocates, community organizations and, UMASS Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen.”
Our students, after the pandemic, have even more challenging times in so many things and so many ways. However, getting food should not be one of them. That is why this event is mainly to provide information and support to the students in need and tell them that they are not alone; if you need help, ask, and there are programs and staff that can help. UMass Lowell has a food pantry located at University Crossing 104 (first floor near the Solution Center). UMass Lowell is also working on expanding the food pantry’s location.
Besides UMass Lowell, which provides food pantries to the student to those in need, there are many local Non-Profit around Lowell. Dwelling House of Hope, Swipe Out Hunger, Greater Boston Food Bank, Mill City Grows, Community Teamwork Incorporated, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, and Coalition for a Better Acre have programs that provide help and support to anyone in need as well.
The last important discussion that was brought up is related to our elected official at the State House. There are two bills, one in the Senate and one in the House of Representatives, related to this topic and will bring more support to our students.
Bill H.1368 “An Act Establishing the Massachusetts Hunger-Free Campus Initiative”
Bill S.2811 “An Act Establishing the Massachusetts Hunger-Free Campus Initiative”
After you read this, please make a Phone Call, Email, or Write a Letter to your representative to vote YES on it and to help push it to pass as well. When you contact them, don’t let them just say Yes. Ask them when it will be up to vote and if they will talk to another representative to vote YES. Push them until they promise to do what is suitable for the students.
Click on this to Find Your Legislator.
