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We're a few weeks past the holidays that normally prompt so many of us to give and consider how our communities' needs might be met. But the need never goes away, and it exists in populations many of us do not consider.
Food insecurity is a crisis affecting too many families in our region.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2020, reported 12.8% of households in the United States experienced food insecurity, defined as the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable food in socially acceptable ways.
College students can be affected by food insecurity, too. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the Hope Center at Temple University, 34% of college students experience food insecurity. If a person is hungry, they aren't in an optimal state to learn, and that's bad news for us all.
Here in the Mid-Ohio Valley, there are supports in place for those students, such as the food pantry at Washington State College of Ohio's Center for Student Success and at the library. WVU Parkersburg has the Riverhawk Food Pantry, available at either the Parkersburg campus on the Jackson County center. Marietta College has a food pantry through its Academic Resource Center.
Of course, there are other, non-campus food pantries across the region, where good people work daily to feed those in need. College food pantries can do more good if we not only give, but spread the word. And the others desperately need what financial and food/necessity donation we are able to contribute.
It's February, folks. For the most part, the holiday lights are down and there are still plenty of gray weeks ahead. If you are looking to revive a little of that holiday glow, make it a point to find out how you can help the food pantry of your choice. If you get in touch with one of them, they'll surely let you know how YOU can make a difference.