Food insecurity is a growing issue on college campuses nationwide—and Missouri is no exception. Rising tuition and housing costs, limited access to affordable food, and the overall financial strain of higher education make it difficult for many students to consistently access healthy, adequate meals. Consider these statistics:
- Nationally, 30–50% of college students will experience food insecurity this year.
- First-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students are the most affected.
- Surveys suggest 35–40% of Missouri college students face some level of food insecurity. At community colleges and smaller campuses, that number can reach as high as 50%.
Understanding Food Insecurity
Here’s a quick framework to understand food insecurity:
- Marginal Food Security: Worrying about running out of food, even if diet hasn’t changed.
- Low Food Security: Reduced quality or variety of diet.
- Very Low Food Security: Disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.
Why does this happen?
Students are pulled in multiple directions. Tuition and housing costs eat up budgets. Many students aren’t aware of food assistance programs—or don’t know how to access them. And a number of students are working multiple jobs on top of academics, with schedules that make regular meals hard to maintain.
What this looks like in Missouri (based on campus surveys and reports):
- Mizzou: ~35–38%
- MSU: ~30–35%
- St. Louis Community Colleges: ~40–45%
- UMKC: ~33–37%
- SEMO: ~32–36%
- Truman: ~28–32%
- Missouri Western: ~34–38%
- NW Missouri State: ~30–33%
When you step back, the pattern is clear: urban campuses and community colleges report the highest numbers, and first-generation, low-income, and minority students are hit the hardest. Across Missouri, about 1 in 3 students reports some level of food insecurity.
How Can Campus Ministries Address Food Insecurity?
Many of us are already offering weekly meals—lunches or dinners with our students, often with the help of local churches. We’ve seen those meals as a blessing, a connection point, a way to open doors for the gospel. But what if—for some students—those meals are actually their only steady food source?
That possibility changes things. What if we chose to lean into this ministry more intentionally? What if we not only continued offering meals but also strengthened them, expanded them, and linked them with campus and community resources? What if, by meeting this very real need, we could also extend our gospel witness in powerful ways?
For ministries in Missouri, the MBC Hunger Relief Network offers grants specifically for addressing food insecurity. Campus ministries are eligible to apply. You can check out the details here:
MBC Hunger Relief Network – Hunger Relief Grant
I’d encourage you to take a look, read through the guidelines, and pray about whether pursuing a grant could be a next step for your ministry. If you’re outside Missouri, do some research into what resources your local association or statewide Baptist convention might be able to offer.
My Experience With Food Insecurity
On a personal note, I know what food insecurity feels like. Growing up, many times the only meal I could count on during the week was my school lunch. Weekends often meant “fasting.” My younger siblings and I would sometimes go from Friday lunch until Monday lunch with little to no food.
When I got to college, my athletic scholarship included a meal plan. For the first time in a long time, I knew I had breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. That was life changing.
I understand food insecurity. I understand the silence of those who live with it. I understand the shame that often surrounds it. And because I understand, I believe we should do what we can to address it.
Matthew 25:35-36: For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’
Photo by Jacob McGowin on Unsplash
