Elise Balin – Staff Writer
One of the greatest struggles that the modern-day college student may face is having access to dependable food sources, let alone food which holds a nutritional value.
Within the University of Wyoming, 37 percent of undergraduate students face struggles with food insecurity. These students are faced with a harsh reality sometimes on a daily basis, not knowing where their next meal will come from.
ASUW’s Wellness and Sustainability Director Anna Savage and non-profit organization, Interfaith, director Angelina Swick both said they believe the root of food insecurity issues with students can be linked to a variety of reasons but a lack of communication and awareness is the forefront of the matter.
“Students are not alone,” Savage said. “We are all here to support each other and see each other succeed.”
Students are the second most food insecure group of people in the state of Wyoming. Swick said she believes that hunger through any stage of life is important.
Statistics show that Albany County is the sixth most populated county in the state, but it stands as the most food insecure county in Wyoming sitting at 16.3 percent. These statistics, according to Feeding America, show that food security issues affect people all throughout the Laramie community, including a large number of students.
Savage said she is hoping to take more action on this subject within the student body and the university.
Savage said recent studies have been performed within the university regarding food insecurity and ASUW is in the process of executing efforts to gain awareness on the subject.
“The food insecurity percentage is way too high for the size of our university,” Savage said.
“We are hoping to coordinate a lot of effort and create a unified group to create real change.”
Students who may be facing theses struggles can find assistance within the university and the community of Laramie. Small food pantries are available for access to students in the Bim Kindall House, Corbett Gym and Guthrie building.
Laramie community assistance can be found with the non-profit organization Interfaith, which is focused on helping individuals in a time of need. Interfaith aims to work on marketing their services to students and the university to keep students aware of the resources that are available in the community.
“Not one agency is going to solve this issue, we have to work together as a community,” Swick said. “People from any walk of life are able to use our food pantry. The pantry is open daily for access to fresh produce and open weekly for items such as packaged foods and canned goods.”
Swick said she wants to ensure that people know that they are not in this issue alone.
