HUNGRY? BARNEY’S PANTRY IS HERE TO HELP

Zarah Escutia

the advocate

As a college student, it can be difficult to find the time to eat a real meal. Trying to manage a busy schedule, the cost of housing, transportation, and tuition can take a toll on our eating habits.

Aside from finding the time to eat, many college students also face food insecurity due to their poor financial state. According to Hunger on Campus (a report by studentsagainsthunger.org) 50 percent of community college students and 47 percent of four-year college students reported food insecurity in 2016. Twenty-five percent and 20 percent (respectively) had very low food security.

Another report, Struggling to Survive – Striving to Succeed – reported that 8 percent of community college students with food insecurity planned to drop out entirely, while only 3 percent of other students planned to do so. Students facing food/housing insecurity took more developmental writing (62/65 percent), reading (58/60 percent), or mathematics (71/74 percent) courses than did their fellow students, the 2017 report found (luminafoundation.org). These students felt less on-track, confident, in-control, focused, or interested in their school work. They also felt that college was less worthwhile, felt less welcomed by faculty, and felt less engaged both inside and outside of the classroom, the report found. 

At Mt. Hood Community College, Barney’s Pantry is here to help food-insecure students. Barney’s Pantry partners with the Oregon Food Bank to help provide food on campus to students, faculty, and staff who are in need. Students can get two food items and one snack, or three canned food items during any one visit. Eligible students can use this service three times a week.

If you are in such need, all you have to do is bring your MHCC student ID to sign in. There is no cost.

Barney’s Pantry is a great community resource to have on campus and it can help you be connected with other resources available on campus, and other food pantries. Even if you may not face consistent food insecurity, it is still a great resource available to you as a student or your friends who attend Mt. Hood who might face food insecurity.

The Pantry is located in the Student Union and is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.