BY SETH MENSING | University Communications Manager
“A hungry brain does not learn”
Western students struggling with food insecurity will see more campus resources devoted to providing the help they need after the University Foundation got a $6,000 grant from the Nourishing Neighbors Safeway Foundation. The grant supports Western’s ongoing commitment to ensuring students get the nutrition they need by connecting individuals to federal meal programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women Infants and Children (WIC).
“This generous support from the Nourishing Neighbors program helps us support food security among college students,” Associate Director of Community Wellness McKenzie Mathewson said. “With this grant, we’re able to continue to promote the success of the students, knowing a hungry brain does not learn.”
The funding will build on the work already being done at the Mountaineer Marketplace, Western’s on-campus food pantry, which has become an essential resource, with more than 1,400 visits recorded since opening in February of 2023.
Food insecurity is a complex issue that can take many forms and have far-reaching consequences. A recent survey by the Government Accountability Office found that nearly a quarter of college students experienced some level of food insecurity.
However, the University has been proactive in addressing the challenges. In June 2023, Western was designated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education as a Hunger-Free and Healthy Minds campus in recognition of its efforts to address mental health and hunger among the student population. This latest round of funding underscores that commitment.
“National research indicates college students are often overlooked as a population experiencing food insecurity due to the socially accepted narrative that college students are expected to struggle financially, yet most people believe college students are supported by their parents,” Mathewson said. “Students in the Gunnison Valley are feeling the impacts of inflation at a significant rate. I think it’s fair to say the cost of living in the Valley contributes to this.
Health & Wellness
