Now through November 22, 2020, FRN will honor Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, an annual program sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness to help educate people across the country about these issues and advocate for change.

At FRN, we firmly believe that no one should have to worry about where their next meal will come from or where they’ll sleep that night. Unfortunately, millions of people in the United States struggle with hunger and homelessness. Right now, an estimated 54 million people are experiencing food insecurity and nearly 550,000 people experience homelessness on a given night. 

While there are many misconceptions about who is impacted by hunger and homelessness, these issues aren’t exclusive to any single community or group and rarely does a single cause contribute to the loss of housing or inability to purchase food. Check out some of the common myths surrounding homelessness and hunger in the US. 

As we reflect on the prevalence of homelessness and hunger in America, one of the most startling revelations is the rate at which food and housing insecurity for college and university students is rising. According to a study conducted by Hunger on Campus: 

• 50% of community college students and 47% of four-year college students reported experiencing food insecurity in the previous 30 days

• Food insecurity rates are higher for students of color: 57% of Black or African American students reported food insecurity, compared to 40% of non-Hispanic white students

• 64% of food insecure students reported experiencing housing insecurity in the past 12 months 

• 15% of food insecure students reported experiencing homelessness in the past 12 months

So what action is being taken to rectify this? Many colleges and universities across the country have opened food pantries on campus to help reduce student hunger. Additional solutions include the creation of on-campus community gardens and food recovery programs.

Policymakers can also play a significant role by increasing student access to existing federal programs like SNAP and simplifying the FAFSA process. 

At FRN, we’re taking action in our own way. In partnership with the #FUELHigherEd Campaign, we’re leading a cohort of six FRN Student Chapters to engage in advocacy work at the local, state and federal level to help raise awareness about student hunger and promote change. Through these efforts, we hope to generate stronger policies that will lead to reduced food insecurity and hunger for students. To stay updated on our work, sign up for FRN emails and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.