Action Post: What can be done in order to Eliminate food Insecurity on HBCU campuses?

Food Insecurity on HBCU campuses is constantly going unnoticed.  It is the job of a social worker to transform this problem into a positive outcome. It takes time, hard work, and dedication to make an effective change for the students suffering from food insecurity. There are many things that can be done in order to put an end to this problem. As an emerging social worker I can advocate for the needs of the students suffering from food insecurity, network with different food banks and pantries in the area, and offer snacks during study sessions.

Advocating on behalf of the students suffering from food insecurity is a major step in ending this problem. Most of the time students do not like the food offered in the café of the university, so they tend to skip meals; this leads to hunger. As an emerging social worker, I can advocate for better food choices and a variety of foods to pick from for the students. These Students should be able to pick from a variety of foods, due to high tuition each semester.  I can advocate through petitions and speeches. I can start a petition and have students sign it, and then take it to the president of the University. This will make the person in charge aware of the students’ unhappiness and hunger while attending college. I can also hold small meetings to meet with the faculty at the university and students suffering from food insecurity. This will show students who are suffering from food insecurity that they are not alone. These meetings will discuss different approaches that can be done in order to eliminate food insecurity on HBCU campuses.

Networking is the key to solutions and positive outcomes. Networking with different food banks and pantries can potentially bring more food and resources to the university. As an emerging social worker, I can meet with different organizations responsible for food pantries and food banks and inform them of the situation of food insecurity on the college campus.  I can inform these organizations about the disadvantages of the students because they do not have enough food in order to function and focus in their academics. With hard work and dedication I will be able to persuade these organizations to help the students suffering from this vast issue.

Many students do not attend study sessions because they are unable to focus. When students hear “free food” they are eager to attend an event. Offering snacks at study sessions will not only decrease food insecurity and hunger, but also help the student focus on their studies more.  More students will attend these study sessions because of free food. This approach will assist in getting a count of how many students are really suffering from food insecurity and hunger. In order to effectively change this issue, the students suffering from food insecurity must make the individuals in charge aware of their desire and need for food. Otherwise, the problem will continue to go unnoticed.