Filling the Basket: Addressing Student Food Insecurity at Lasallian Institutions of Higher Learning

Laura B. Frank

ABSTRACT

Lasallian schools were established to meet the needs of the children of artisans and the poor. From the beginning, it was recognized that these needs included access to sufficient food; teachers were instructed to collect bread from students who had more than they needed and distribute it to those in need. Recent research has demonstrated that food insecurity is a pressing issue on today’s college campuses, with more than a third of students nationwide reporting experiencing food insecurity. In congruence with the Lasallian mission of supporting access to education for disadvantaged populations, La Salle University is developing initiatives to address student food insecurity. Lasallian institutions are committed to act to support the growth and development of the whole person of our students, including ensuring that their basic survival needs are met. Additionally, our mission and charism require of us that we sensitize our students to the struggles of their fellows, as we seek to develop a sense of social responsibility and desire for activism in all of our students.

Full Text: Filling the Basket Addressing Student Food Insecurity at Lasallian Institutions of Higher Learning

Keywords: the poor, alms, hunger, food access, campus food insecurity, campus food pantries, food justice, social justice, social activism