AMES, Iowa — Editor's Note: A previous version of this story misidentified a volunteer as a person experiencing food insecurity.
College students have many stressors in their lives, from building relationships, to paying for gas and a roof over their heads.
But unfortunately, access to food can be a concern as well. That's why a student-run food pantry at Iowa State University is trying to alleviate the stigma around being food insecure.
“This is really a national issue. College student food insecurity," said Brian Vanderheyden, Iowa State's director of student wellness. “College students experience higher levels of food insecurity than the general population.”
The SHOP (Students Helping Our Peers) Food Pantry at Iowa State serves approximately 2,000 students per month. By the end of each week, Vanderheyden says the pantry's shelves are nearly bare.
That's no surprise, considering a recent study shows one-third of Iowa State students face food insecurity, or a situation where students worry if they’ll have enough food – or if they have enough money to make it by with their basic needs.
Iowa State student Abby Glick volunteers at the food pantry and hopes erase the stigma around food insecurity.
“Once you realize that that number is so big, it kind of doesn’t make you feel as alone in that," Glick said. "By understanding that a lot of students are food insecure, then maybe you are more likely to reach help or talk to other people about it.”
Over the past three years, students’ need for food has only skyrocketed.
In 2021, SHOP distributed around 1,800 lbs. of food per month. Then a year later, 5,300 lbs. went to students. In 2023, 15,000-20,000 lbs. of food per month, which adds up to a near 1,000% increase in food distribution since 2021.
Students can access SHOP Food Pantry Mondays through Fridays, and lines begin to build up two hours before it opens.
Across the state, other Iowan colleges and universities also offer food pantries of their own.
The University of Iowa has a food pantry which is free and available to students, staff and faculty.
Drake University has "Little Pantries" scattered across campus to provide students with access to food at different locations.
The University of Northern Iowa's "Panther Pantry" is open Mondays-Thursdays in the lower level of the Maucker Union, and is available to the school's students impacted by food insecurity.
