Help is Out There for College Students Struggling with Hunger

Forty-two percent. Nearly half. That’s how many community college students struggle with food insecurity, according to the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice -- and the number has likely gone up in recent months.

LBCC is not immune to this problem. Hundreds of students require some sort of food assistance, according to Rob Camp, Student Leadership Coordinator at LBCC. Fortunately, this assistance is available at the college and outside of it.

Several years ago, Student Leadership founded the LB Lunch Box, a student-run program that provides grocery gift cards for those who need them. They previously provided food directly, but have changed their services due to with COVID considerations.

“The Linn Benton Lunch Box is just a place for students to reach out and say, ‘Hey, I need some help’ and they can get something two times a term as long as they’re a current student,” said Camp.

For those needing more, the local, federally funded Linn Benton Food Share supports a group of over 70 partner agencies, including food banks and soup kitchens. 

“Our task is to access and distribute food to local agencies that actually interact with the public and provide the food either as food boxes or meals to people in need,” said Colleen Dyrud, the Agency Relations Manager at LBFS.

“The pandemic has really hit college students in the area very, very hard, and college students often have a hard time qualifying for food stamps,” Dyrud said. 

A 2018 study, published by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, found that 36% of university students and 42% of community college students reported food insecurity over a thirty-day period.

As a result of this situation, the food pantry based on the OSU campus has been distributing more food than any other in the area. This food bank is open to the public, not just OSU students. It’s located at Champinefu Lodge, 1030 SW Madison Ave. in Corvallis.

Unfortunately, some may not be aware of what’s available. 

Camp said, “I think a lot of the reason [students] haven’t reached out is that they just don’t know it’s there.”

For those who can afford to help, both organizations accept monetary donations. Dyrud said that donors to the LBFS range from companies and organizations to individuals who can spare “an extra five dollars.” 

To donate to Linn-Benton Food Share, visit this site or send a check to P.O Box 1920, Corvallis, OR, 97339.

To donate to the LB Lunch Box, send a check to Linn-Benton Lunch Box, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, Forum 120, Albany, OR, 97321.

At a glance:

What: Food banks are a way to help students who are unable to cover basic needs.

Where: Linn and Benton counties

What’s next: Seek aid if you need it, donate if you can.

Links:

Roadrunner Resource Center | LBCC 

Linn Benton Food Share Donation Page

Linn-Benton Lunch Box (LBLB) | LBCC

Linn Benton Food Share (has contact info for local agencies such as food banks.)